Prevention

Because the exact cause of pulmonary atresia is unknown, it may not be possible to prevent it. However, there are some things you can do that might reduce your child's overall risk of congenital heart defects, such as:

• Control chronic medical conditions. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in check can reduce the risk of heart defects. If you have other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, that require the use of medications, discuss the risks and benefits of these drugs with your doctor.
• Don't smoke. Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy may increase the risk of heart defects in your baby.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you're obese, you have a higher risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect.
• Get a German measles (rubella) vaccine. If you develop German measles during pregnancy, it may affect your baby's heart development. Being vaccinated before you try to conceive likely eliminates this risk. However, no link has been shown between rubella and the development of pulmonary atresia.