Did you know that birth defects are the leading cause of death in children under the age of five? It’s a sobering statistic, but it highlights just how important it is to be aware of birth defects and what can cause them. In this article, we will discuss the three main types of birth defects: genetic, environmental, and metabolic.
Inherited genes cause genetic birth defects. These birth defects can occur when a parent passes on an abnormal gene to their child. This can happen if both parents have the same mutated gene, or if only one parent has it and they pass it down to their offspring. Examples of genetic birth defects include Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia.
Environmental birth defects occur when a pregnant mother is exposed to certain environmental factors that can affect the fetus’s development, leading to birth defects. This can include exposure to toxins such as alcohol or cigarettes, radiation exposure, drug use, infections caught during pregnancy, and malnutrition.
Congenital birth defects are caused by problems that occur during birth or shortly after that cause damage to a baby’s body. These can range from mild birth defects like clubfoot to more severe ones like brain or organ damage.
Structural birth defects are caused by problems in the development of an embryo or fetus, than can happen during the first few weeks of pregnancy. These birth defects can involve bones, organs, tissues, and skin. Examples include cleft palate, Spina bifida, neural tube defects, and heart malformations.
Birth defects occur when a baby is exposed to a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, that cause birth defects. These birth defects can range from minor birthmarks to severe birth defects that can impair physical and mental development.
