Birth Defects
Many things can go wrong during pregnancy and delivery that result in birth defects in the baby. Most defects develop within the first three months of pregnancy. They can vary from mild to severe, and some, such as cleft lip, a condition that happens when the baby's upper lip and roof of the mouth don't join, can be surgically treated.
What causes most birth defects is not known.
There are steps that you can take to lower your risk of having a baby with birth defects. Pregnant women should never drink and should see a doctor as early as possible after becoming pregnant.
Recently Answered
- Q What is a hemangioma?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyHemangiomas are benign growths on the surface of the skin. They may not be apparent at birth, but they grow pretty quickly during infancy. The good news? Hemangiomas stop growing by about a year or so and then start diminishing at about age two. They can... Full Answer
4 Answers
A
- Q What is neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia?
-
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia is a rare condition that occurs in one in 1,000 to 2,000 births. The condition occurs when a fetus inherits cell surface proteins from the father that are absent in the mother. The mother’s body then marks the... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Are neural tube defects serious?
-
Neural tube defects can be serious and even fatal, but in some cases the symptoms are relatively mild. The symptoms of spina bifida, the most common type of neural tube defect, can range from mild to severe. Some babies with spina bifida are born with a... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Are researchers investigating neural tube defects?
-
Doctors and scientists are conducting a wide variety of research related to neural tube defects. For example, recent research has affirmed the fact that folic acid plays an important role in fetal development of the neural tube, resulting in current... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How does chiari malformation affect a child?
-
Congenital malformations are abnormal formations of the bone and soft tissue of your child's head and spine. These malformations occurred before birth and are correctable with surgery by a pediatric neurosurgeon. Chiari malformation is one of these... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How are Chiari malformations (CM) classified?
-
CM is classified by the severity of the disorder and the parts of the brain that protrude into the spinal canal. Type I involves the extension of the cerebellar tonsils (the lower part of the cerebellum) into the foramen magnum, without involving the... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What other conditions are associated with Chiari malformations (CM)?
-
Individuals with Chiari malformations (CM) often have the following related conditions: Hydrocephalus is an excessive buildup of CSF in the brain. CM can block the normal flow of this fluid, resulting in pressure within the head that can cause mental... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Is Chiari malformations (CM) a common condition?
-
In the past, it was estimated that the Chiari malformations (CM) occur in one in 1,000 births. However, the increased use of diagnostic imaging has shown that CM may be much more common. Complicating this estimation is the fact that some children who are... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are the symptoms of Chiari malformations (CM)?
-
Many persons with Type I CM do not have any symptoms and are unaware that they have the condition. Individuals with other CM types may complain of neck pain, balance problems, muscle weakness, numbness or other abnormal feelings in the arms or legs,... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Why does a child with a craniofacial defect need a team of specialists?
-
“If the clinicians treating children with craniofacial anomalies don’t pay careful attention to other developmental problems -- such as speech impediments or hearing loss -- in addition to the physical defects, these issues will persist... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
