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? an abnormality that affects the structure or function of the body that is present at birth almost everyone is born with some type of imperfection some are minor – a birth mark some can result in physical or mental disabilities or be fatal
What causes birth defects? both genetic and environmental factors can cause birth defect the causes of about 60% of birth defects are currently unknown a single abnormal gene can cause birth defects - every human being has about 100,000 genes
Can birth defects be prevented? While the 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. Visit a health care provider for a pre-pregnancy check up. Especially if a woman has health problems. When pregnant take daily multivitamin containing 400 mg of the B-vitamin folic Acid. Avoid alcohol, drugs, smoking, prescription or over-the- counter medication with out checking with her health care provider.
Can some birth defects be diagnosed before birth? Some birth defects can be diagnosed before birth Some prenatal tests that can be taken are: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Ultrasound Ultrasound Amniocentesis Amniocentesis Chronic Villi sampling Chronic Villi sampling
Prenatal tests Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Blood test done at weeks AFT is a protein produced in the fetus’ liver Abnormal levels indicate a possible birth defect Ultrasound Uses sound waves to create a picture (sonogram) Problems with skeletal, circulatory or nervous system may be detected Helps confirm due date and presence of one fetus Completed at 20 weeks No threat to unborn child or mother
Amniocentesis Withdraw a sample of amniotic fluid Often used to detect Down syndrome Involves some risk to the fetus Only performed when medical reason to do so Chorionic villi sampling Uses a sample of the tissue from the membrane that encases the fetus Tissue is snipped or suctioned off and analyzed Similar use as amniocentesis but used less often as it poses more risks
Can birth defects be treated before birth? Advances in prenatal therapy now make it possible to treat some birth defects before birth. Prenatal surgery has saved babies with urinary-tract blockages and rare tumors of the lung. More than 100 babies have undergone experimental prenatal surgery to repair spina bifida before birth.
Types of Birth Defects There are two main types of birth defects: structural functional/developmental.
Structural birth defects are related to a problem with body parts. heart defects, such as missing or misshaped valves, and abnormal limbs, such as a club foot heart defects, such as missing or misshaped valves, and abnormal limbs, such as a club foot also includes neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, problems that are related to the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord. also includes neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, problems that are related to the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord.
Functional birth defects are related to a problem with how a body part or body system works. These problems often lead to developmental disabilities and can include things such as: Nervous system or brain problems - learning disabilities and movement trouble. Sensory problems - blindness and hearing loss. Metabolic disorders - involves a body process Degenerative disorders--are conditions that might not be obvious at birth, but cause one or more aspects of health to steadily get worse
In some cases, birth defects are caused by a combination of factors. Some recognized patterns of birth defects affect many parts or processes in the body, leading to both structural and functional problems.