What is the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in the general population?

The incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in the general population is approximately 1%. This statistic reflects the prevalence of various structural heart defects that occur during fetal development and can lead to significant clinical outcomes in affected individuals.

Understanding the incidence rate is important for genetic counselors and healthcare providers, as it helps in risk assessment, prenatal screening discussions, and counseling families on the likelihood of having a child with CHD based on family history or other risk factors. While other options may represent different estimates for specific subsets of the population or different contexts, 1% is generally accepted as the standard incidence rate for the general population. This insight emphasizes the significance of awareness and early detection of congenital heart defects to improve management and outcomes.