What Are Birth Defects?

Birth defects are an abnormality in the development of babies in the womb. It always occurs in the womb during pregnancy. It could be any part of the body. It is not a common physiological disorder. It occurs to 2% out of 100% of babies. It can be mild or severe. Defects happen due to some factors. Some of these defects are harmless, life-threatening, and even could lead to death. They can be alterations in the physical, internal, or chemical composition of the babies. For example, it can be an absence of an arm or delayed development of the kidney and the heart, or hormonal imbalance. Some are caused by genetics, and there could be multiple defects on a baby, i.e., having 2 to 3 defects. It shows off in the first trimester of pregnancy on the fetus. It causes deformities in appearance, organ functions, and mental development. Detecting most of these abnormalities is difficult and takes longer. An example is a kidney. If the kidney, unfortunately, has any defects, it takes years to diagnose it. Majorities of these disorders are got to be known only when it has started causing it harm. There are different types of these defects.

Causes of Birth Defects

Many causes are responsible for birth defects.

• Genetics- it could be from the maternal or paternal side. The gene transferred from either parent can be incomplete or mutated. This little change can prompt the baby to deformities. The family history of either the father or the mother can have these defects in line.
• Nongenetics causes are mistakes or decisions the pregnant woman made during pregnancy. Such as smoking, illegal drugs, alcohol drinking, virus, and toxic chemicals.

Types of Birth Defects

Congenital Heart Defects

This defect is a very rare one. It is very hard to find amidst the population of babies. It is associated with the heart. It can be caused by genetics or steps taken by the mother during the fetal development stage. Like what was said earlier that it’s a rare defect; likewise, its symptoms are not visible, that is probably what makes detecting it a bit difficult. Fortunately, doctors and other medical practitioners diagnose it from an examination. The ‘murmur’ sound from the heart is harmless, but further examination determines if your baby has a heart defect.

This defect is a fatal one. It has the capability of collapsing the heart. The heart finds it difficult to pump the required amount of blood to other parts of the body, blood pressure drops, and this totally impairs the circulation of blood. It can lead to death and, if not treated on time, at its early detection.

Symptoms

Congenital heart defects show some symptoms, which are Rapid heartbeats: arrhythmia, difficulty in breathing, feeding issues, the coloration of the skin, and swelling of some parts of the body like legs, arms, or the abdomen.

Treatments

if there is an early diagnose of this defect, medications can be used, but if it is has gotten to a fatal stage, surgery must be done to amend the heart conformation. It is a risky treatment. Mechanical aids can also be employed, like the pacemakers.

Clubfoot Defects

This deformity occurs in the feet and ankles of babies. It is a rare one. It is the incomplete development of the limb. In some cases, the limbs turn inward instead of the outward or smaller size of the limb to the actual size. Clubfoot defects, in a way, affect your daily activities. It causes a restriction to some movements. The main causes of clubfoot are not yet known, but exposure to chemicals or infections increases the chance of developing clubfoot. It is actually more common in males than females. It can be mild and severe and doesn’t attract attention until the baby starts standing. This is mostly caused by genetics and environmental factors.

Symptoms

Staggered movement, restricted movement

Treatments

Early diagnosis is advisable in order to receive early treatment. The foot is gently forced back to its right position. Then, Constructive exercise is prescribed for the child to cause some physical changes and the use of plaster cast and bandaging with splints. Also, surgery can be done followed by moderate exercise.

Cleft lip or Palates Defects

This defect is common in some paths of the world while it is rare in some parts of the world. It is more often in Asians and certain groups of Native Americans but is rare in Caucasian and African American babies. Its cause is determined by genetics and environmental factors, just like clubfoot. These defects prevent the baby’s palate and the lips (i.e., the parts of the mouth) from completely developing: the hard palate, soft palate, and upper lip.

This deformity alters the speech and feeding of the babies. These two activities seem difficult for the child. Also, the understanding of language is not an easy trip with these defects. The middle ear is also affected. Suckling seems difficult, but they are helped with feeding bottles until the treatment is carried out.

Symptoms

Difficulty in speech, language assimilation, and feeding problem.

Treatments

Surgery can be done to repair the cleft lip and the palates. This surgery must be done before the first 12 months of age so as to allow normal growth of the child’s face. It restores the tooth arrangements in the mouth.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a very rare infection but seems to be common among the Caribbean and African-Americans. This is one of the easiest disorders among birth defects, but it can only be diagnosed outside the uterus when the baby has been birthed. The blood sample of the baby is taken for the test. It is a fatal disease that poses damage to internal organs. This disease damage the protein pigment of the red blood cells called hemoglobin. The hemoglobin gets distorted, which is later rid of by the liver and spleen, whereas this process leads to anemia: low blood level. Also, it is causes vital organs damage. In addition to its complications, it prone the baby to microorganisms infection.

Symptoms

Difficulty in breathing, fatigue, pain, anxiety.

Treatments

This defect currently does not have a proven cure or antidote, but it can be prevented. Before the crisis, it can be reduced by immunization for your child and the use of penicillin treatment daily.

Chromosomal Defects

They are of two types; they are caused by chromosome disorders. It includes Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a common defect in babies, and it is not curable. Luckily, diagnosing it before birth is possible, i.e., diagnosing in the uterus. So it is advisable you take an early diagnosis.

Symptoms

It has a lot of symptoms but must be attended to early. They are the small nose, smallmouth, short neck, small hands and fingers, visual and hearing impairment, slanted eyes and small ears, ear infections, heart illness, intestinal disorder, and mental retardation.

Fragile X Syndrome

This is the second chromosomal disorder, and it is very common in males than females. It doesn’t show off itself immediately after birth. It reveals itself starting from 18 months to 2 years of age. Accompanied with language comprehension.

Symptoms

Large ear, elongated face, cleft palate, heart illness, overcrowded partition, autism, seizures, and large testicles.

Treatments

Children with these defects must be taught new things. Memory retardation occurs, which removes basic knowledge from them. You can also employ early intervention programs for them to enhance the child’s development.

Prevention of These Birth Defects

All of these defects can be diagnosed whether before birth, during birth, or after birth. So, the awareness of these deformities requires you to take every preventive measure necessary. They can be prevented by:

• Firstly, get educated on these birth defects, and that is what this article just did. Acquire the necessary information.
• Take roughly 400 micrograms of folic acid daily during your pregnancy
• Prevent infections.
• Watch your weight and keep a moderate weight. Either by exercising or watching your diet.
• Always eat a balanced diet.
• Manage your obesity and diabetes.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. They are both dangerous to the fetus and the mother.
• Frequent medical check-ups: antenatal, prenatal, and postnatal. Visit a medical professional regularly.
• Ensure all your pregnancy medications are safe. Make sure they were prescribed by your doctor.

Moreover, pregnancy is a critical condition that you must take seriously. The measures you take in your pregnancy predict your child’s future health. Stay safe.