Birth defects, also known as birth anomalies, are problems that occur during the development of a child in the mother’s womb. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these birth defects are structural or functional changes present in any part of the body at the birth of a child. Birth defects can range from mild to severe.
Worldwide, at least 7.9 million people are born each year with a birth defect. There are more than 7,000 types of birth defects known to date. Among children affected by birth defects, at least 3.3 million people worldwide die each year before reaching the age of five. And those who survived, about 3.2 million children are mentally or physically disabled for life. There are some disadvantages that can be mitigated with proper care.
What are the causes of birth defects:
It is estimated that about 94% of cases of severe birth defects occur in low- and middle-income countries. Most birth defects occur in the first trimester of pregnancy when the baby’s organs are formed. Among the main contributing factors to birth defects are the following:
1. Genetic factor:
The genetic factor accounts for about 25-30% of all birth defects, approximately 1 percent. This can be due to inbreeding or a new mutation in the egg or sperm. In simple words, the mother or father may pass on the genetic defects to their child.
2. Chromosomal problems:
In some cases, a chromosome or part of a chromosome may be missing, as in Turner syndrome, when the female lacks the X chromosome, and other birth defects can also be developed by the presence of an extra chromosome, such as Klinefelter syndrome and Down syndrome.
3. Environmental factors:
Environmental factors account for 5-10% of all birth defects, environmental factors include nutritional deficiencies, maternal diseases, infectious factors, and some other factors also include some medical conditions, such as obesity or uncontrolled diabetes before and during pregnancy, and in some cases the mother is older and usually over 34 years old which also leads to a birth defect.
4. Infections:
Women who develop certain infections during pregnancy are at higher risk of having a child with a birth defect For example, Zika virus infection during pregnancy is associated with birth defects called microcephaly, in which the brain and skull are smaller than normal, and Zika infection during pregnancy is also associated with other structural problems in the brain as well. The CDC offers tips to prevent infections before and during pregnancy.
Birth defects
Types of birth defects:
1. Structural birth defects:
They are defects associated with a problem in the parts of the body that include the following:
Heart defects, such as missing or incorrect valves .
Cleft lip or cleft palate
Abnormal limbs .
Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and problems related to the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord.
2. Defects of functional or developmental childbirth:
Problems of the nervous system or brain: for example, Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, which is a genetic disease transmitted by parents and children and causes intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Prader-Weil syndrome, a syndrome that occurs as a result of a change in chromosome number 15 that results in muscle weakness, eating disorder that leads to obesity, short stature and mental retardation.
Sensory problems: include hearing loss and visual problems such as deafness or blindness.
Degenerative disorders: for example, oxygen-related adrenal dystrophy, and muscular dystrophy, which is an umbrella name for a wide range of diseases characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy.
Metabolic disorders: such as phenylketonuria, a condition of genetic biological metabolism, any diseases with a genetic defect in the body’s metabolism and prevents the patient with this disease from eating protein substances in food and this disease leads to mental disability that may be severe if the diagnosis and treatment are not made in the early stages of birth.
Diagnosis:
A birth defect can be identified at any time before birth, or even after birth, various prenatal tests, newborn screenings, and postpartum tests are used to diagnose birth defects but there are some defects such as hearing loss that take years for parents to notice, so knowing the problems as soon as possible can help parents and doctors plan treatment properly and this undoubtedly makes it necessary for the mother to undergo tests to check what If the health of the child requires any special care .
Ways to prevent birth defects:
Not all birth defects can be avoided, but some of them can be prevented by prenatal care, by avoiding substances that can cause birth defects, and there are some preventive methods, including the following:
While planning pregnancy, see a doctor regularly, start prenatal care as soon as you know you are pregnant, and major birth defects can also be prevented by consuming folic acid as directed by your doctor.
Get medical advice and screening for birth defects, especially if you have any family history of birth defects or if you are 35 years of age or older.
Avoid harmful substances such as smoking and drinking alcohol.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, control diabetes, and maintain a healthy weight.
Talk to your doctor and check if the medications you are taking are safe for fetal development, and also be sure to take your doctor’s advice before starting or stopping any medication or changing your diet.
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