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