BIRTH DEFECTS Frank Zuniga Spina Bifida Spina bifida
BIRTH DEFECTS Frank Zuniga
Spina Bifida • Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. • Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine • There are three types of Spina Bifida: -Myelomeningocele • With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. -Meningocele • With meningocele a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. But, the spinal cord is not in this sac. – Spina Bifida Occulta • There is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back.
Down Syndrome • Down syndrome is a condition in which a baby is born with an extra chromosome. • Normally, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Babies born with Down syndrome have an extra copy of one of these chromosomes. • Even though people with Down syndrome might have some physical and mental features in common, symptoms of Down syndrome can range from mild to severe. • Some common physical signs of Down syndrome include: – – – A flat face with an upward slant to the eye, a short neck, small ears, and a large tongue Tiny white spots on the iris (colored part) of the eye Small hands and feet A single crease across the palm of the hand Small pinky fingers that sometimes curve toward the thumb Poor muscle tone or loose ligaments
Congenital Heart Defects • Congenital heart defects are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works. • They can affect how blood flows through the heart and out to the rest of the body. • Congenital heart defects can vary from mild to severe. • The causes of congenital heart defects among most babies are unknown.
Cleft Lip/Palate • Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly. • These birth defects commonly are called “orofacial clefts”. • Children with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate or a cleft palate alone often have problems with feeding and talking. • They also might have ear infections, hearing loss, and problems with their teeth. • Each year 2, 651 babies in the United States are born with a cleft palate and 4, 437 babies are born with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. 1 Cleft lip is more common than cleft palate.
FAS • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. • These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. • There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. • A person with an FASD could have: – – – Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip Shorter-than-average height Small head size Difficulty paying attention Poor memory Vision or hearing problems
Club Foot
Cerebral Palsy • Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. • Caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles. • The symptoms vary from person to person… • A person with severe CP might need to use special equipment to be able to walk, or might not be able to walk at all and might need lifelong care. • Types of Cerebral Palsy: – Stiff muscles (spasticity) – Uncontrollable movements (dyskinesia) – Poor balance and coordination (ataxia)
Anencephaly • Anencephaly is the absence of a large part of the brain and the skull. • Anencephaly is one of the most common neural tube defects. • Anencephaly occurs early in the development of an unborn baby • Anencephaly occurs in about 1 out of 10, 000 births • Symptoms: – – Absence of the skull Absence of the brain (cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum) Facial feature abnormalities Heart defects
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