first trimester of pregnancy, when formation of the heart and blood
             vessels takes place. Maternal infection with German measles (rubella), or alcohol use,
             drug use, smoking, exposure to radiation, and genetic disorders have all been implicated as
             The most common malformation involves a hole between the two muscular
             pumping chambers of the heart, termed a ventricular septal defect. This results in
             decreased blood flow to the lungs and mixing between the right and left sides of the heart,
             a condition termed cyanosis or blue baby syndrome. The baby has a bluish discoloration
             of the lips and skin, which is often more noticeable with crying and activity. Other
             common malformations include atrial septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus, and
             tetrology of Fallot. These defects cause an imbalance in the normally equal amount of
             ...