Gene discovery could save babies’ lives

A NEW genetic discovery could one day allow doctors to save the lives of babies born with heart defects, it was revealed yesterday.

Scientists have identified a gene that may underlie many of the inherited disorders.

About 1% of babies are born with congenital heart defects, the leading cause of death in non-infected newborn infants.

The risk jumps to 5% for parents who already have an affected child.

One of the main disorders occurs when walls separating the heart's four chambers do not form properly.

US scientists found that mutations in the gene named GATA4 can lead to these conditions, known as cardiac septal defects.

They believe interfering with the gene's effects could prevent the problem occurring before a child is born.

Dr Deepak Srivastva, of the University of Texas in Dallas, said: "We cannot change the fact that parents are going to pass along the mutation. But we might be able to keep the disease from occurring."

Scientists said the work could also help in future screening of people with heart defect genes.

There is a 50% risk of a baby being born with a heart problem if either parent has the mutant form of GATA4.

So far, only one other gene has been linked with congenital heart disease. The findings will appear in the journal Nature.