Birth defects

What are birth defects?
They are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability. Some may be fatal. Currently, birth defects are the leading cause of death for infants during the first year of life

What causes them?
Genetic problems caused when one or more genes doesn't work properly or part of a gene is missing. Also there can be problems with chromosomes, such as having an extra chromosome or missing part of a chromosome. Or environmental factors that a woman is exposed to during pregnancy, such as rubella or German measles while pregnant, or using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy.

Dfferent types of birth defects:

-Structural birth defects are related to a problem with body parts. Some physical problems include cleft lip or cleft palate, heart defects, such as missing or misshaped valves, and abnormal limbs. They also include neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, problems that are related to the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord.

- Functional birth defects are related to a problem with how a body part or body system works.