Birth Defects

As happy as families usually are when they find out they are pregnant, with that happiness comes concern or fear about birth defects.

A birth defect is an abnormality of structure, function, or metabolism (body chemistry) that is present at birth. Most result in physical or mental disability. However, some can be fatal.

According to the March of Dimes about 150,000 babies are born with birth defects each year in the United States. There are over 4,000 known types, ranging from slight to very serious. In general, about 1 out of every 28 babies is affected.

There are three sub-categories of birth defects. These include structural and metabolic abnormalities, congenital infections, and other.

Structural abnormalities involve the baby’s body having some part missing or malformed. Examples include spina bifida, heart defects, and problems involving the genitals or urinary tract.

The March of Dimes defines metabolic abnormalities as the inability of cells to produce an enzyme (protein) needed to change certain chemicals into others, or to carry substances from one place to another. Examples are Tay-Sachs and Phenylketonuria.

Some defects are caused by viral and bacterial infections during pregnancy, usually during the first trimester. Examples of viral and bacterial infections include rubella, STDs, and CMV or cytomegalovirus. These infections can cause problems including blindness, deafness, mental retardation, and bone defects.

The "other" category includes problems caused by alcohol and drug abuse. Another example is Rh disease. Rh disease is caused by an incompatibility between the blood of a mother and her baby. The babies may have jaundice, anemia, and brain damage.

There are two main causes of birth defects: Environmental and genetic. Sometimes a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental problems is at fault. Examples include clubfoot and cleft palate. However, according to the March of Dimes, 60-70% of the time, the cause is unknown.

Environmental factors such as smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, infection, and exposure to certain medicines or other chemicals can cause problems in a developing baby. Examples include blindness, deafness, heart defects, and mental retardation.

Some genetic defects happen when the mother or father passes on an abnormal gene. This is called dominate inheritance. An example is dwarfism. Others happen when both the mother and father pass on the affected gene. This is called recessive inheritance. Examples include Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis.

There are also genetic defects which are due to a problem with the number or structure of chromosomes. For example, babies born with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome.

Before you get pregnant, make sure your vaccines are up to date, you are getting 600mcg folic acid a day (either in your diet or in a prenatal vitamin), and you have been tested to be sure you and your partner do not have any STDs.

After you get pregnant:

• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take recreational drugs while pregnant. Try to avoid second-hand smoke, including marijuana.
• Take a prenatal vitamin that includes folic acid to prevent against neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
• Get early and consistent prenatal care.
• Eat nutritiously and get plenty of appropriate exercise.

Even if you are very careful during the pregnancy, you can’t guarantee that something won’t go wrong during your baby's development. You can do everything right and still have a baby with a birth defect.

There are many different degrees of various birth defects. Some children have perfectly normal lives. Others require a little more medical help and therapy, but go on to have normal and healthy lives. There are also children who will require more invasive help to reach their full potential.

If your baby is born with a birth defect, get help. Thousands of families deal with birth defects in the United States. Find a way to contact families like yours—they will be your best resource. In addition, learn as much as you can about your baby’s condition so you can make informed decisions regarding his/her care.

Don't hesitate to get help caring for your other children or taking care of daily chores. You need to take some time for yourself and your partner. It may sound impossible, but taking care of yourself and your relationship will help you better care for your new baby.

• March of Dimes
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Birth Defects Research for Children.Inc

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