| A birth defect is a problem that happens | | | | in the body has chromosomes containing genes |
| while a baby is developing in the mother's | | | | that determine a person's unique |
| body. Birth defects are defined as | | | | characteristics. |
| abnormalities of structure, work or body | | | | |
| metabolism that are present at birth. These | | | | Treatment of congenital anomalies is specific |
| abnormalities lead to mental or physical | | | | for each individual. Individuals with severe |
| disabilities or are fatal. Birth defects | | | | or numerous abnormalities usually require |
| affect about one in every 33 babies born in | | | | multidisciplinary treatment. Babies with |
| the United States each year. About 150,000 | | | | birth defects may need surgery or other |
| babies are born with birth defects each year | | | | medical treatments. Prenatal surgery has |
| in the United States.They are the leading | | | | saved babies with urinary tract blockages and |
| cause of infant deaths, accounting for more | | | | rare tumors of the lung. Other prevention is |
| than 20% of all infant deaths. Babies born | | | | not smoking, and avoiding secondhand smoke , |
| with birth defects have a greater chance of | | | | Avoiding alcohol ,Eating a healthy diet and |
| illness and long term disability than babies | | | | taking prenatal vitamins (make sure you're |
| without birth defects. Birth defects can be | | | | getting enough folic acid) , Avoiding all |
| caused by genetic, environmental, or unknown | | | | illicit drugs , getting exercise and plenty |
| factors. Other causes of birth defects | | | | of rest and getting early and regular |
| include alcohol abuse by the mother and Rh | | | | prenatal care. Couples who have had a baby |
| disease | | | | with a birth defect, or who have a family |
| | | | history of birth defects, should consider |
| Which can occur when the mother's and baby's | | | | consulting a genetic counselor. Rroutine |
| Rh factors are different. Although a few | | | | obstetrical care also helpful. |
| medications can cause problems, of the 200 | | | | |
| most commonly prescribed drugs, none is | | | | Not smoking, and avoiding secondhand smoke. |
| associated with a significant risk of birth | | | | |
| defects. Environmental causes of birth | | | | 1. Avoiding alcohol. |
| defects have more to do with the mother's | | | | |
| health and exposure to chemicals or diseases. | | | | 2. Avoiding all illicit drugs. |
| When a mother has certain infections, such as | | | | |
| rubella, during pregnancy, it can cause birth | | | | 3. Eating a healthy diet and taking prenatal |
| defects. Multifactorial birth defects are | | | | vitamins. |
| caused by a combination of genetic and | | | | |
| environmental factors and include neural tube | | | | 4. Getting exercise and plenty of rest. |
| defects and cleft lip and palate. Genetics | | | | |
| play a role in some birth defects. Every cell | | | | 5. Getting early and regular prenatal care. |