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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile the exact cause of truncus arteriosus is unknown, several factors may increase the risk of a baby being born with this condition. These include:
- A mother who had rubella (German measles) or another viral illness during early pregnancy
- A parent who had a congenital heart defect
- Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- A mother who has diabetes
- Taking some types of medications during pregnancy
Children born with Down syndrome, a genetic condition resulting from an extra copy of chromosome 21, also are at increased risk of having truncus arteriosus and other congenital heart defects.
