Birth defects

 

Causes of birth defects

Some of the factors that may cause a birth defect include:

• Genetic disorders – an altered or ‘faulty’ gene or set of genes usually means that the information contained in the particular gene is either changed or missing.
• Maternal illness during pregnancy – for example, some infectious diseases can cause serious harm to a pregnant woman or her unborn baby.
• Alcohol or drugs – drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, some illegal drugs and certain prescription and over-the-counter medications are known to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
• Individual pregnancy factors – for example, the mother’s blood and the baby’s blood may be incompatible (Rh disease), or there could be too little amniotic fluid in the womb.
• Radiation exposure – from x-ray machines or other sources can damage the genes of the developing baby, particularly during the first trimester (first three months of pregnancy).
• Unknown causes – the cause of birth defects is unknown in about six in every 10 cases.
  
  

Prenatal diagnosis of birth defects

Some women may be at increased risk of having a baby with birth defects because of maternal factors such as age, general health, medical history or family history.

Some of the prenatal tests used in the diagnosis of birth defects may include:

• Prenatal ultrasound – a non-invasive scan that uses soundwaves to create a picture of the baby within the womb.
• Maternal blood tests – to check for certain substances such as hormones or particular proteins made by the baby.
• Amniocentesis – the doctor inserts a needle through the mother’s abdominal wall and takes a sample of amniotic fluid for testing.
• Chorionic villus sampling – a sample of the placenta is taken using a small needle and tube (catheter) inserted through the mother’s cervix or through her abdominal wall.
• Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling – the doctor inserts a needle through the mother’s abdominal wall into the umbilical cord. A sample of the baby’s blood is taken from the cord for testing.
  
  

Reduce the risk of birth defects

The risk of a birth defect for any baby is about four per cent, regardless of the circumstances during pregnancy. This means that a baby may have a birth defect even when the mother and father did everything right. Keeping this in mind, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of birth defects.

General suggestions include:

• Ideally, make sure you are up to date with your immunisations (especially for rubella) before you get pregnant.
• Take folic acid supplements prior to conception and during the first trimester as directed by your doctor.
• See your doctor regularly for prenatal care.
• Do not smoke.
• Avoid illegal drugs and alcohol during pregnancy.
• If you take medication to manage a chronic illness, don’t stop or alter the dose without the knowledge and consent of your doctor. If you are concerned about your long-term medication, the doctor may, in some cases, be able to prescribe a similar medication that does not have any known effects on the baby.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamin B.
• Avoid unnecessary x-ray examinations.
  
  

Things to remember

• A birth defect is an abnormality that may be detected during pregnancy, at birth or in early childhood.
• The abnormality may affect the function or structure of a body part or alter the baby’s metabolism.
• The cause is unknown in about six in every 10 cases.