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.
