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