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January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month
The Statistics
- About 150,000 babies are born each year with birth defects
- The parents of 1 out of every 28 babies will receive the news that
their baby has a birth defect
- Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of
life
What is a birth defect?
A birth defect is an abnormality of structure, function,
or metabolism presenta at birth that results in physical or mental disability,
or is fatal. Several thousand different birth defects have been identified.
What causes birth defects?
- Genetic factors such as a single abnormal gene or abnormalities in
the number or structure of chromosomes can cause birth defects
- Environmental factors such as drug or alcohol abuse, infections, or
exposure to certain medicatiosn or other chemicals can cause birth defects
- Birth defects may also be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental
factors
- The causes of about 60-70% of birth defects currently are unknown
What are some common types of birth defects?
- Structural: some part of the body (internal or external) is missing
or malformed. Examples include heart defects, spina bifida, and genital
or urinary tract defects.
- Metabolic: disorder that results in 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 include Tay-Sachs
disease and phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Congenital infections: occurs when a pregnant women contracts an infection
that affects the fetus. Examples of congenital infections that can cause
birth defects include rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and sexually transmitted
infections.
- Other common types of birth defects include fetal alcohol syndrome
and Rh disease.
How can birth defects be prevented?
There are a number of steps a woman can take to reduce
her risk of having a baby with a birth defect:
- Meet with your health care provider for a pre-pregnancy visit.
This is especially important for women with medical problems such as
diabetes, high blood pressure, and epilepsy, which can affect pregnancy.
- Discuss family history and undergo appropriate testing and screening
if necessary.
- Discuss health and lifestyle factors that may affect your chances
of having a healthy baby.
- Ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date.
- Discuss infectious agents and hazardous materials that should
be avoided during pregnancy.
- Take a multi-vitamin.
All women who could become pregnant should take a daily multivitamin
containing at least 400 micrograms of the B-vitamin folic acid to reduce
the risk of certain birth defects.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs.
A woman who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should avoid these substances
as they can cause birth defects and other pregnancy complications. Don't
take any medication - prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal - without
first checking with your healthcare provider.
Can some birth defects be diagnosed before birth?
Yes, some birth defects can be diagnosed before birth.
Ultrasound can help diagnose structural birth defects. Amniocentesis and
chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are used to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities,
such as Down syndrome.
While the news that your baby has a birth defect can be devastating,
prenatal diagnosis sometimes can improve the outlook for the baby. Advances
in prenatal therapy and surgery now make it possible to treat some birth
defects before birth. Prenatal diagnosis also allows parents time to prepare
themselves emotionally, and to plan with their provider the safest timing,
location, and method of delivery.
Couples who have had a baby with a birth defect, or who have a family
history of birth defects, should consider consulting a genetic counselor.
These health professionals help families understand what is known about
the causes of a birth defect, and the chances of the birth defect recurring
in another pregnancy. Genetic counselors also can provide referrals to
medical experts as well as to appropriate support groups.
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