Common Birth Defects

Expectant new parents cannot help but have some worries in the back of their mind about the birth of a healthy baby.  There are many birth defects that can cause alarm and concerns for parents.  Birth defects can range from mild to very severe.  Sadly, some children are even born with conditions that will be fatal.  Fortunately, the most severe of birth defects are really not all that common when you look at incidence rates compared to number of births.

Most times a birth defect is not the result of something a mother did or did not do while pregnant.  Birth defects can be environmental and, of course, can be genetic.  Often birth defects appear without any traceable cause.  We will look at a few of the most commonly referred to birth defects.

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   Clubfoot:  Clubfoot is a  condition in which a child  is born with a foot or feet  that turn inward.  This is a  mild birth defect and  fortunately for many  babies can be treated by  wearing a cast for awhile.   Sometimes surgery is  required to treat Clubfoot. 

 

•  Orofacial clefts (such as  cleft lip and cleft palate)  are among the most  common birth defects.  The facial structures do not develop properly.  Babies with this problem can have difficulty with nutritional intake. Depending upon the severe and nature of the birth defect there can be respiratory problems as well.  Orofacial clefts can be treated with surgeries.
  
  
• Neural tube defects are also recognized among frequently heard of birth defects.  Some children are born with part of their brain that are missing or not developed properly.  This condition is known as Anencephaly.  Sadly, this is a fatal condition.  Another condition under this category is Spina Bifida which is a defect involving the spine.  Patients with this condition can have paralysis, cannot stand up straight and tall, can have learning disorders and other health problems depending on the location of the opening in the spine.  The opening can be closed with surgery but any resulting problems can usually not be reversed.

 

• Heart defects:  are also quite common.  In the United States for example, there are heart problems in 1 out of every 100 birth.  There are many different types of heart defects ranging from holes in the heart, to sections of the heart not being properly formed.  Many heart defects can be treated with surgeries.  For some heart problems the prognosis is very good.
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  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition resulting from mothers who consumer alcohol while pregnant.  This is something that can happen if a mother drinks while carrying her child.  Children born with this condition can have stunted growth and any number of health conditions.  The syndrome will also usually result in mental retardation.  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is avoidable by not drinking when pregnant. 

 

• Down Syndrome results when a baby is born with an extra chromosome.  Mothers over 40 seem to have children with this condition more than younger mothers.  Down Syndrome also causes any number of health problems, facial abnormalities and mental retardation ranging from mild to more severe.
  
  
• Metabolic Defects are fatal but they are very rare.  In this condition babies are missing an enzyme or do not properly utilize enzymes properly.  This causes problems with the complete function of the body. 

 

  Cerebral Palsy is another   concern.  This is a neurological   condition that occurs in newborns   or young children when tehre is   some type of injury to the brain.    Babies born with Cerebral Palsy   might have had a lack of nutrients   or oxygen when in the womb.    Being born premature can also   result in Cerebral Palsy.  Infants   and toddlers who have brain   injuries or illnesses can also fall   victim to CP.  This condition can   be mild or severe.  Many children   with this disorder are not able to   walk and have mental retardation   along with other health   conditions.  However, minor forms   of CP are also prevalent.