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 Types of 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