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 Is it safe to drink wine coolers and beer while I am pregnant?
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All drinks containing alcohol can hurt an unborn baby, even beer and wine coolers. A standard drink is defined as .60 ounces of pure alcohol. This is equivalent to one 12-ounce beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80... Full Answer
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- Q If I drank alcohol early in my pregnancy but quit, will it harm my baby?
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The most important thing is that you have completely stopped drinking after learning of your pregnancy. It is never too late to stop drinking. The sooner you stop, the better the chances for your baby’s health. It is not possible to know... Full Answer
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- Q Why should I avoid alcohol while I am pregnant?
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We've all heard that a woman shouldn't drink while she's pregnant or if she's planning to get pregnant. Here's why and what you should know. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with birth defects and have disabilities.... Full Answer
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- Q What are the signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
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Dr. Charles Sophy, PsychiatryMost infants with FASD are irritable, have trouble eating and sleeping, are sensitive to sensory stimulation, and have a strong startle reflex. They may hyperextend their heads or limbs with hypertonia (too much muscle tone) or hypotonia (too little... Full Answer
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- Q How can ventilators help babies with CDH?
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Because babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have underdeveloped,or hypoplastic, lungs, they often are unable to breathe at birth. Moreover, the lackof adequate blood vessels in hypoplastic lung tissue results in inadequate blood... Full Answer
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- Q What is congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)?
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Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH, is one of the most common birth defects, affecting about one in 3000-4000 newborns today. CDH occurs when the diaphragm develops abnormally during gestation, creating a defect, or hole, through which organs such... Full Answer
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- Q How can a congenital heart defect lead to heart valve disease?
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Congenital heart defects are often detected and treated in infancy. However, for some people, the symptoms associated with a defect appear in adulthood. For example, if a heart valve is missing one of its "leaflets" (or flaps) at birth, over time... Full Answer
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- Q What is an atrial septal defect (ASD)?
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An atrial septal defect, or ASD, is an opening between the upper two chambers of the heart, known as the right atrium and the left atrium. A congenital heart defect, an ASD permits mixing of deoxygenated blood returning to the heart from the body (right... Full Answer
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- Q What medications are used to treat an atrial septal defect (ASD)?
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While medicines cannot cure an atrial septal defect, they may be used to control symptoms until the hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart either closes on its own or until it can be closed using a catheter-based or surgical... Full Answer
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- Q What can happen if an atrial septal defect (ASD) is not treated?
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A large atrial septal defect creates a significant hole in the wall between the two top chambers of the heart (the atria). If not treated, it can lead to:- Irreversible damage to the blood vessels of the lungs from long standing pulmonary artery... Full Answer
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