Table of Contents
What is meant by congenital malformations?
Malformation, congenital: A physical defect present in a baby at birth, irrespective of whether the defect is caused by a genetic factor or by prenatal events that are not genetic. In a malformation, the development of a structure is arrested, delayed, or misdirected early in embryonic life and the effect is permanent.
What are examples of congenital malformations?
Congenital malformations are now the leading cause of infant mortality (death) in the US and many other developed nations. Examples include heart defects, cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, limb defects, and Down syndrome.
What is the risk of congenital malformations?
Environmental factors that are considered as being potential risk factors in causing congenital malformation include maternal infection, maternal age and maternal drug intake during the critical period of embryogenesis and substances such as, caffeine, nicotine, commonly used medicines, maternal nutritional and health …
What is the most common congenital malformation?
The most common, severe congenital anomalies are heart defects, neural tube defects and Down syndrome. Although congenital anomalies may be the result of one or more genetic, infectious, nutritional or environmental factors, it is often difficult to identify the exact causes.
What are the signs of an abnormal baby?
What are the symptoms of birth defects in a child?
- Abnormal shape of head, eyes, ears, mouth, or face.
- Abnormal shape of hands, feet, or limbs.
- Trouble feeding.
- Slow growth.
- Frequent infections.
- Joint problems.
- Spinal cord not fully enclosed (spina bifida)
- Kidney problems.
What is a unicorn baby?
Babies who wake up every 2 hours to feed for weeks and weeks Waking every 1-4 hours is much more common than babies who sleep 8 hours a night from birth (I like to call these super sleepers “unicorn babies” – I have heard of them, but have never experienced one myself).
What are congenital conditions?
Congenital refers to a condition or disease which is present at birth. The condition can be inherited ( genetic) or caused by environmental factors. Some maternal infections, such as HIV, can be passed onto the child and cause a congenital condition. Maternal factors such as alcohol or drug consumption,…
What is congenital birth defect?
A congenital birth defect, also known as a congenital anomaly, is a condition that is present at birth due to structural deformities in the development of a fetus. Common examples of congenital birth defects include congenital heart disease , neural tube defects and Down syndrome.
What is congenital disease?
A congenital disease is one that is present at birth. Although a person is born with such a disease, it may not appear until later in life. There are numerous types of these that inflict people around the world. Examples are spina bifida , empty sella syndrome, and congenital malaria. Spina bifida…