Authors : Neerav Bansal

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4arf7dnn

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/47xhzxk6

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1675

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Abstract : Congenital heart disease (CHD) is considered to be the most common clinically significant congenital anomaly in the world. Nearly one-third of all major birth defects and neonatal mortality can be attributed to CHD. While genetic and chromosomal defects may explain a proportion of cases, most evidence indicates that non-genetic, modifiable maternal factors determine fetal cardiac development. This review aims to evaluate the biological, contextual, and epidemiological evidence on maternal nutrition and metabolic factors associated with CHD, with an emphasis on the state of Punjab, India. The Punjab region in India is popular for agricultural profusion, recurring insufficiency of maternal nutrition, and associated maternal metabolic disorders. Examination of current research that connects maternal micronutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, folate, and zinc, and disorders such as maternal obesity and gestational diabetes to the heightened risk and severity of CHD is the major focus of this review. It further delves into the mechanistic pathways, particularly the impaired one-carbon metabolism, epigenetic dysregulation, oxidative stress, and fuel-mediated teratogenesis, which disrupt the early cardiogenesis during the critical window of 3 to 8 weeks of gestation. These biological mechanisms are situated within the social, cultural, and health ecosystem of Punjab, identifying gaps in care for preconception, dietary diversity supplementation, continuity, and early CHD detection. Finally, the review proposes an integrated framework for care prevention that spans the preconception, antenatal, and postnatal stages. This review emphasizes viewing food security through a broader perspective of nutritional security and maternal health throughout life to initiate discussions on targeted public health approaches to reduce the burden of CHD in agrarian settings.

Keywords : Maternal Malnutrition, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Micronutrient Deficiency, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, OneCarbon Metabolism, Fetal Cardiogenesis, Preventive Cardiology.

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