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What are Birth defects?


Birth defects are very common and critical conditions affecting many new-born babies in the entire world. These birth defects can be either be minor or severe. The baby’s appearance, physical as well as mental development and organ function may be affected because of birth defects. When the baby is in the mother’s womb, within the first three months of pregnancy, the organs start forming. These birth defects although are common, some might be harmless while some others may require long-term medical treatment.


Causes of Birth defects


Mentioned below are some of the common causes of Birth defects:


  • genetics
  • exposure to medications as well as chemicals
  • infections during pregnancy
  • lifestyle choices and behaviors
  • a combination of these factors

But, the exact birth defect causes of are often unknown.


  • Genetics

Abnormalities may pass on from parents to their baby. These abnormalities may be genetic and may happen when a gene becomes flawed because of a mutation, or a change. These abnormalities occur at the time of conception and mostly can’t be prevented. There are chances that a certain defect may be present in the entire family history of either one or both the parents.


  • Nongenetic causes

Certain birth defect causes may be very difficult or rather impossible to identify. But, some behaviors highly tend to increase the birth defects risks. These behaviors may include smoking, consuming alcohol in pregnancy, consuming illegal drugs, exposure to toxic chemicals as well as viruses, etc.


Types of Birth defects


There are basically two types of Birth defects:


1. Structural Birth Defects


These types of birth defects are generally related to the bodily or the structural parts of the body such as:


  • Heart defects
  • Misshaped valves or missing valves
  • Cleft palate
  • Cleft lips
  • Abnormal limbs normally called as clubbed foot
  • Spina bifida or other neural tube defects
  • Problems related to the growth as well as development of the brain and the spinal cord

2. Functional or Developmental Birth Defects


These types of birth defects are associated to a problem with the functioning of a body part or the body system such as:


  • Brain problems or Nervous system such as Fragile X Syndrome, Down syndrome, Prader-willi syndrome. These are usually speech difficulties, behavioral disorders, seizures, movement trouble, etc.
  • Sensory problems such as visual or hearing loss.
  • Metabolic disorders.
  • Degenerative disorders such as muscular dystrophy and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, leading to the nervous system problems as well as the adrenal glands.

Treatment


What are the available Birth defects treatment options?


Treatment of birth defects may depend on the type of birth defects as well as the level of severity. There are certain birth defects that can be corrected before the baby’s birth or shortly post that. There are certain other birth defects that may affect a child for his entire life. Some mild birth defects can be really stressful, however, they don’t typically affect the overall quality of life. However, certain birth defects, such as cerebral palsy or spina bifida, tend to cause long-term disability, at times even death. Therefore, it is important that you talk with your treating doctor for an appropriate treatment for your kid’s condition.


Medications: Your doctor may suggest certain medications that can be used for treatment of certain birth defects. Additionally these can also be used to lower the risk of some complications that may arise from birth defects. Alternatively, the doctor may prescribe certain medications to the expectant mother during the pregnancy in order to correct certain abnormalities before child birth.


Surgeries: Surgery may also help in fixing some of the birth defects or ease out harmful symptoms. Plastic surgery may be performed with people who were born with physical birth defects, like cleft lip, etc. In case of new born babies with heart defects would require a surgery, as well.


Home treatment and care: The doctors may ask the parents to follow certain instructions when it comes to feeding, monitoring, bathing an infant with a birth defect.


Are there any natural or homemade remedies for Birth defects?


As they say, ‘prevention is better than cure’; same goes with prenatal care as well as awareness for birth defects.


Certainly, not all the birth defects can be prevented. Therefore, awareness of the past onditions, prenatal care as well as current conditions may help with regards to prevention.


  • Prenatal care. Consuming a folic acid tablet of at least 400 micrograms daily, may help in prevention of birth defects. In case you are of a reproductive age and/or are trying actively to conceive a baby, you should take a folic acid tablet. Intake of these prenatal vitamins as well as avoiding alcohol, tobacco as well as illegal drugs can considerably help in prevention of birth defects as well as pregnancy complications.
  • Awareness of past or current situations. In case you previously had a pregnancy that had a birth defect, it’s vital to find out the most likely causes behind it since it can help your physician to plan the preventive measures for your next pregnancy. Say for example, spina bifida occurs by a deficiency in folate. Therefore, if you had spina bifida in your previous pregnancy, ensure that continue high dose of folate for prevention of future spina bifida diagnoses.

    When to see a doctor?


    Before you plan a pregnancy, it is idle to visit a consulting gynecologist or an obstetrician. Your doctor may suggest you certain exercises as well as diet. Besides, if you feel that you have higher chances of giving birth to a child with birth defects, feel free to talk to your doctor.


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