Influences on Birth Defects

FACTS About 150,000 babies are born each year with birth defects. The parents of one out of every 28 babies receive the frightening news that their baby has a birth defect There are over 4,000 known birth defects Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life.

What is a Birth Defect? A birth defect is an abnormality that is present at birth that affects the structure or functions of the body and may threaten a baby’s health and/or welfare.

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Inadequate nutrition of mother Exposure to diseases or infections during pregnancy Harmful substances consumed during pregnancy

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Inadequate nutrition of mother Stunted brain development of baby Leads to learning disabilities

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Exposure to diseases or infections during pregnancy Rubella, or German Measles, can cause blindness, deafness, heart disease, and learning disabilities Toxoplasmosis, can cause hearing loss, learning disabilities and death; found in cat litter and some raw meats Chicken pox, scarring of babies’ skin, limb defects, eye problems, and miscarriage STDs can be passed to unborn child and lead to serious illness, physical disabilities, or death

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Harmful substances consumed during pregnancy Nicotine from smoking tobacco or secondhand smoke Smaller babies Miscarriages and premature births Respiratory infections or allergies

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Harmful substances consumed during pregnancy Alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) 20% of infants die Facial deformities, delayed physical growth, heart defects, and hyperactivity Learning disabilities Poor coordination Difficulty controlling behavior

Environment Influences of Birth Defects Harmful substances consumed while pregnant Drugs Over-the-the counter drugs Drug addiction Long-term learning and behavioral problems Risk of miscarriages Congenital heart problems

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Exposure to hazards during pregnancy Chemicals X-rays Toxoplasmosis – extreme high blood pressure

Environmental Influences on Birth Defects Accidental injuries Cerebral palsy caused by damage to brain before, during, or shortly after birth Falls lead to a variety of complications

Hereditary Influences on Birth Defects 1. Defective recessive genes inherited from both parents Cystic fibrosis Tay-Sachs disease Sickle cell anemia 2. Defective dominant gene inherited from one parent Hemophilia Huntington’s disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy Color blindness 3. Errors in chromosomes Down syndrome

Combined Influence of Heredity and Environment Birth Defects Drugs + virus = heart defect Cleft lip/cleft palate Spina Bifida – reduce risk by taking folic acid

Can birth defects be prevented? While the potential causes of most birth defects are not known, there are a number of steps a woman can take to reduce her risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

Brainstorm Visit a health care provider for a pre-pregnancy check up, especially if a woman has health problems. Also to get an amniocentesis When pregnant take daily multivitamins containing 400 mg of the B-vitamin folic acid Avoid alcohol, drugs, smoking, prescription or over-the-counter medication unless approved by a health care provider

Can some birth defects be diagnosed before birth?