Birth Defect Research Paper

Birth defects are structural and functional abnormalities that are present during birth that cause mental and physical disabilities (Shiel 1). Birth defects can have a variety of causes. A common cause of birth defects would be genetics. Genetics could cause birth defects if one or more genes aren't working properly or part of the gene is missing (Shiel 1). Things such as missing a part of a chromosome or having an extra chromosome can cause birth defects (Shiel 1). Birth defects could also have other causes that are environmental. The environmental causes of birth defects could happen if the pregnant woman had taken any drugs or alcohol and if the pregnant woman was exposed to any diseases or illnesses. Since they have so many cures for the majority of the diseases that could cause birth defects it is now considered to be rare if a birth defects were to result from the diseases.

According to recent studies, it was discovered that 1 out of 33 babies in the United States are born with defects (Marusinec 1). Since there are a variety of
birth defects, they are known to affect appearance, organ function, and mental & physical development (Marusinec 1). While some birth defects may be harmless, others require extensive medical treatment. Severe birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths in the United States, accounting for 20 percent of deaths (Marusinec 1). The majority of birth defects are present during the first 3 months of the pregnancy, when the organs are beginning to form (Marusinec 1).

The two main types of birth defects are structural and functional/developmental.
Some structural birth defects would include things such as a cleft lip, heart defects, abnormal limbs, etc (Shiel 1). Children with functional birth defects develop problems such as autism, blindness, and hypothyroidism (Shiel 1). In a report the CDC conducted on the U.S rate birth defects during 1999-2001, it was discovered that the top six birth defects were genetic defects such as Down Syndrome, facial defects such as a cleft lip or palate, heart defects, musculoskeletal defects, intestinal defects, and eye defects (Smith, et al). It was calculated that the genetic defects affect 6,916 babies per year, facial defects affect 6,776 babies per year, heart defects affect 6,527 babies per year, musculoskeletal defects affect 5,779 babies per year, intestinal defects affect 2,883 babies per year, and eye defects affect 834 babies per year (Smith, et
al).