Congenital Anomalies / Birth Defects

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES / BIRTH DEFECTS

DEFINITION :

          According to WHO the term congenital malformation confined to structural defects at birth.

RISK FACTORS:

• Exposure to chemicals/substances
• Methyl mercury poisoning
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Rubella virus
• Phenyl ketonuria
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• Radiation
• Consanguineous marriages

COMMON CONGENITAL ANOMOLIES :

Cardio vascular system :

• Ventricular septal defects
• Atrial septal defects
• Tetrology of fallot
• Patent ductus arteriousis
• Trans position of  greater arteries
• Valvular defects, etc….

Digestive system :

• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate
• Oesophageal  Artesia
• Hyper pyloric stenosis
• Congenital mega colon,etc…..
• Central nervous system
• Anencephaly
• Micro/macro cephaly
• Meningocele
• Meningomylocele, etc….

Reproductive system :

  Male :

• Hydrocele
• Cryptorchidism, etc…

Female :

• Vaginal agensis
• Unicornuate uterus
• Cervical agensis, etc…
• Musculoskeletal system
• Clubfoot
• Hip dislocation, etc…
• Haematological system
• Congenital leukaemia
• Sickle cell anaemia
•  Thalassemia ,etc….

Respiratory system :

• Lung agenises
• Tracheo oesophageal fistula ,etc…..

PREVENTION OF RISK FACTORS :

1. Genitic counselling:

• Do not take self medications during pregnancy.
• Treat the infections promptly.

2. Avoid consanguineous marriages :

3. Improve the nutritional status of mothers during early pregnancy period

4. Avoid smoking & alcohol in pregnancy    period

5. Adequate folic acid supplementation

6. Couples with congenital /genetic disorders should seek medical advice before conceiving.

7. Immunization.

8. Avoid exposure to chemicals & radiation during pregnancy.

9. Focus on girls’ child health in view of producing healthy generations.