Gene linked to congenital heart defects identified

Washington, Dec 18 (ANI): A new gene, ETS-1, that is linked to human congenital heart defects has been identified.

The study, by researchers from the UC San Diego, School of Medicine and colleagues, has been published in the journal of Human Molecular Genetics.

The landmark study provides important insights into some of the most prevalent forms of congenital heart defects in humans, including ventricular septal defects and potentially hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a uniformly fatal heart abnormality.

"Identification of this gene may have implications for prevention of some of these most common types of congential heart defects," said Paul Grossfeld, MD, associate professor of pediatrics for the UC San Diego School of Medicine and pediatric cardiologist for Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego. (ANI)