Newborn Heart Defects Increase in States With Strict Abortion Laws

A new study set to be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session is raising concerns about how abortion restrictions may be affecting infant health. Researchers looked at rates of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD)—a group of serious heart defects that limit oxygen flow in the body—among babies born between 2016 and 2024. They compared 20 states with restrictive abortion laws to nine states with strong protections in place following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

The findings were striking: While rates of CCHD remained steady in states protecting abortion access, cases rose in states with strict abortion bans—surpassing what researchers had expected based on previous trends.

Most babies born with CCHD require surgery or other interventions soon after birth in order to survive. Even with treatment, up to 20% of these babies don’t make it past their first year, and those who do often need lifelong care. That can mean regular heart checkups, tests and sometimes additional surgeries down the line.

Typically identified during ultrasounds during the early part of the second trimester, researchers said it may be plausible that the increase stems from babies being born to families who might have chosen to terminate the pregnancy if abortion were an option in their state.

“We’ve come a long way in caring for these individuals, but the mortality rate can still be high. Some of these defects can be quite severe and may not have good surgical options, and some families may consider pregnancy termination based on the outlook for the baby and the family,” study’s lead author and pediatric cardiologist Stephanie Tseng, MD, explained.

While the study points to a potential link between abortion bans and higher rates of CCHD, Tseng noted that other factors—such as disparities in prenatal care or differences in maternal health risks like diabetes—could also be contributing.

Regardless of what is driving the increase, Tseng said that the study can help health care systems anticipate health care needs, as more babies being born with CCHD means that more children will require continuing care for these conditions as they grow up.

“If the trend toward an increasing number of CCHD births is true, then there will be a larger population of patients with complex congenital heart disease that will need [early and lifelong] health care,” Tseng said. “The health care system, particularly in states with restrictive policies, will need to prepare for these patients, as we know that CCHD patients have higher health care utilization needs. This includes health care costs, resources and [an increased] need for healthcare workers. There will be non-financial physical and emotional strains on families, as well.”