Congenital abnormality

Also called birth defects, or congenital anomalies, these are disorders and or abnormalities that are from birth are called congenital abnormalities.

Anotia

Causes

• Genetics. such as Fragile X syndrome, Turner syndrome, Down syndrome etc.
• Exposures to medicines, chemicals, or other toxic substances. such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
• Infections during pregnancy. such as Zika virus during pregnancy can cause a serious defect in the brain.
• Lack of certain nutrients. such as folic acid before and during pregnancy is a key factor in causing neural tube defects.

Tourette syndrome

Who is at risk of having a baby with birth defects?

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking "street" drugs during pregnancy
• Obesity or uncontrolled diabetes, before and during pregnancy
• Taking certain medicines
• Family history
• Advanced maternal age or 34 years or older

Diagnosis

Prenatal testing or during or after birth.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the exact defect and the effect of the defect on the child's development and well being and can involve combination of medications, surgery when possible and supportive care.

Prevention

Some of the birth defects can be prevented using the following measures:

Congenital heart abnormality

• Prenatal care
• Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
• Don't drink alcohol, smoke, or use "street" drugs
• Reducing or preventing use of excess chemicals and or medications.

List of common congenital anomalies

• Absent nails

• Accessory tragus

• Anterior anus (ectopic anus)

• Auricular tag or pit

• Bifid uvula or cleft uvula

• Branchial tag or pit

• Camptodactyly

• Cup ear

• Cutis aplasia (if large, this is a major anomaly)

• Ear lobe crease

• Ear lobe notch

• Ear pit or tag

• Extra nipples (supernumerary nipples)

• Facial asymmetry

• Hydrocele

• Hypoplastic fingernails

• Hypoplastic toenails

• Iris coloboma

• Lop ear

• Micrognathia

• Natal teeth

• Overlapping digits

• Plagiocephaly

• Polydactyly type B tag, involves hand and foot

• Polydactyly type B, of fingers, postaxial

• Polydactyly type B, of toes, postaxial

• Preauricular appendage, tag or lobule

• Redundant neck folds

• Rocker-bottom feet

• Single crease, fifth finger

• Single transverse palmar crease

• Single umbilical artery

• Small penis (unless documented as micropenis)

• Syndactyly involving second and third toes

• Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)

• Umbilical hernia

• Undescended testicle, bilateral

• Undescended testicle, unilateral

• Webbed neck (pterygium colli)