Birth Defect In Babies

One out of thirty-three babies is born with a birth defect. A birth defect is an abnormal development of the fetus resulting in death, malformation, growth retardation, and functional disorders. ”If a baby is born with a part of their body missing or malformed, it is referred to as a structural birth defect. Heart defects are the most common types.” (Healthline) “In 1979-89, according to the CDC, there were thirty-eight different types of birth defects, twenty-seven of them were increased, nine stayed the same, and only two were decreased.” (Gupta) ”Now, there are more than 4,000 different kinds of birth defects, ranging from minor ones that need no treatment, to serious ones that require medical or surgical treatment.” (Gupta) Birth defects can be caused by many different reasons, such as environmental or genetical. Environmental meaning a baby's exposure to chemicals or viruses while in the womb. Chemicals such as smoking, alcohol, and drugs. Genetical defects are passed down through chromosomes from each parent. ‘’When both parents pass along a gene for the same disease; this is called recessive inheritance. A disease or defect can also happen when only one parent passes along the gene. This is referred to as dominant inheritance.’’ (Gupta)
If a baby is born with a Low Birth Weight it's probably from premature birth or from not having a healthy diet during pregnancy. Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and Epilepsy are just a few of the risk your baby can be born with when born with a Low Birth Weight. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of the highest causes of birth defects in babies today. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is from mothers who smoke while they are carrying their child in their womb. Mothers who smoke while pregnant double the risk of their baby being born with Low Birth