Types of Birth Defects Explained Types of Birth Defects Explained
One area of major defects that is common occurs in the heart. Another common structural defect is spina bifida. Two common metabolic defects are: Tay-Sachs disease and phenylketonuria (PKU).
Birth defects are abnormalities that occur in babies at birth involving structure, function or body metabolism. These abnormalities can lead to mental, physical disabilities or both. Birth defects can be minor, serious or they can be fatal. There are approximately 150,000 babies born every year in the United States with some kind of birth defect according to the March of Dimes. There are three causes for birth defects. Birth defects can be genetically caused, a result of something in the environment or there may be unknown causes for the defect.
Metabolic defects and structural defects are those in which a body part is missing or is formed incorrectly or can occur when there is a problem with how the body chemistry works.
One area of major defects that is common occurs in the heart. Another common structural defect is spina bifida. Two common metabolic defects are: Tay-Sachs disease and phenylketonuria (PKU).
Metabolic birth defects involve a missing or incorrectly formed enzyme. A baby born with a metabolic birth defect can have serious consequences including fatality.
Congenital birth defects are those that are caused by infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, syphilis or chicken pox.
Baby Birth DefectAnother key to fighting birth defects is proper prenatal care, this means providing medical care for all pregnant women and providing the means to receive proper nutrition during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Education begins with young girls and teaching them about sexual diseases that could affect their future children. Women need to be educated about the need to have preconception planning appointments so that they can do all they can to assure a healthy pregnancy and baby. There are lifestyle choices that are made preconception and during the pregnancy that can have an affect on the health of the baby including smoking, drinking alcohol, nutrition and hot tub usage.
|
Birth defects can also be caused by alcohol abuse during pregnancy as well as certain medications.
Birth defects can occur to babies who have healthy parents. The age of the parent has relatively little to do with the occurrence of birth defects as babies have been born to young couples.
Birth defects also happen to couples that have followed all instructions given to them by the obstetrician caring for the mom and still give birth to a baby with a birth defect. Couples who have no family history of birth defects and who may have other healthy children can still have a child with a birth defect.
According to the March of Dimes as many as 60% of all birth defects have no known cause so they cannot be predicted.
Chromosomal defects during the formation of egg or sperm can also cause birth defects such as Down syndrome.
Environmental causes of birth defects are when the mom-to-be is exposed to chemicals or diseases during her pregnancy or she abuses alcohol or takes certain medications that can cause birth defects.
There can also be multifactorial birth defects when more than one cause can be identified such as neural tube defects, cleft lip and palate.
In summary, birth defects can be attributed to defects in structure, function or body metabolism. Birth defects can occur to couples whom have no family history of birth defects and to those who even have other healthy children. There are some birth defects in which there is no known cause. Alcohol abuse and certain medications may be causes for birth defects and some infections can also cause birth defects such as rubella - especially if exposure is early in the pregnancy.
Today's News About Birth Defects
08/28/2008
Up Next (CBS News)
Up Next on 48 Hours.
Up Next (CBS News)
08/29/2008
Chattanooga: Luncheon for Boehm Center set Sept. 13 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
The Alpha Beta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha is selling tickets for its 21st annual Taster’s Luncheon to benefit the Walter E. Boehm Birth Defect Center. This year’s event will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 7111 Lee Highway.
Chattanooga: Luncheon for Boehm Center set Sept. 13 (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
08/26/2008
New Findings Explain Genetic Disorder's Unique Shift; Father's Role As Resource Provider Influential In Prader-Willi ... (Science Daily)
New findings give insight into the unique characteristics of the birth defect Prader-Willi Syndrome, and at the same time, may help explain how a certain type of gene is expressed in all humans. The research finds that the amount of care a father gives to his child may cause a shift in the syndrome in which its symptoms, in essence, reverse themselves.
New Findings Explain Genetic Disorder's Unique Shift; Father's Role As Resource Provider Influential In Prader-Willi ... (Science Daily)
08/27/2008
Thousands of heart-risk children to be put on statins (Daily Mail)
Thousands of children whose parents have a genetic defect which causes heart attacks are to be tested to see if they too are at risk.
Thousands of heart-risk children to be put on statins (Daily Mail)
08/29/2008
'American' Dream Comes True For UNF Freshman (First Coast News)
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- For a Jacksonville teenager whose family immigrated from Poland, fulfilling her "American Dream" meant going to college at UNF. This week, that dream came true.
'American' Dream Comes True For UNF Freshman (First Coast News)
08/26/2008
Explaining a genetic disorder's unique shift (PhysOrg)
Findings reported in this week's PLoS Biology give insight into the unique characteristics of the birth defect known as Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), and at the same time, may help explain the way that a certain type of gene is expressed in all humans.
Explaining a genetic disorder's unique shift (PhysOrg)
08/28/2008
Epsom salts reduce risk of cerebral palsy in preemies (KING5 Seattle)
A major medical development has its roots in an age-old home remedy: a soak in Epsom salts can ease hurting muscles. Now new research finds the mineral compound can also help prevent a serious complication of premature birth.
Epsom salts reduce risk of cerebral palsy in preemies (KING5 Seattle)
| 