Congenital Malformations And Defects: Types And Prevention

Congenital malformations and defects are structural or functional abnormalities that form when the fetus is in the womb. They are noticed during pregnancy or childbirth or after the birth of a child.

Congenital malformations and defects are rare

Today, most women give birth to healthy babies. For this we can thank the considerable medical progress and public practice in developing countries.

As a result, fetal malformations are significantly reduced.

In many countries, birth defects are the cause of infant mortality, chronic illness and injury. Chronic diseases have a huge impact on the lives of those affected,  as well as on their families, health practices and society in general.

According to the World Health Organization , fetal malformations are seen in one in 33 children. An estimated 3.2 million babies are born each year.

Early detection of these abnormalities by early diagnostic methods of pregnancy is crucial. These tests allow experts to  use appropriate and effective therapies for a wide variety of fetal irregularities.

For about 50 percent of fetal malformations, it is difficult to find a specific cause, but experts have been able to identify certain latent factors. Socioeconomics, the environment, demographics, genes, infections and the nutritional status of the mother, etc. can all have an impact.

Types of congenital malformations and defects

• The most common malformations are cleft lip and palate, cleft palate, CP injury, congenital hypothyroidism, fetal alcohol syndrome,  and fetal neural tube defects including spina bifida and brain absence.

• Cardiac defects: septal , atrial and ventricular defects, open ductus arteriosus (PDA), aortic stenosis and aortic stenosis. Also the transposition of the great blood vessels, the underdevelopment of the left side of the heart, and the tetralogy of Fallot.
• Gastrointestinal defects:  Oesophageal obstruction, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastric stenosis, Hirschsprung’s disease, gastroscissis, absence of anus and biliary theater.
• Congenital diseases:  cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, muscle degeneration, phenylketonulia, sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, etc.
• Inflammations that may cause fetal malformations:  Congenital rubella syndrome, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, genital herpes, varicella, chickenpox, congenital syphilis.

Detection

The detection of these pathological processes can occur in the following time periods:

• In the pre-fertilization period.
• During fertilization.  Related to this are standard reproductive health practices, genetic testing, and counseling.
• In the postpartum period.

Attention and care

Pediatric and surgical interventions can correct many congenital structural defects  such as cleft palate.

Medical professionals may also prescribe early treatment for children suffering from functional changes such as thalassemia or congenital hypothyroidism.

Prevention of congenital problems

Preventive public health practices and campaigns provided by various health and sanitation bodies are very effective in combating congenital malformations.

The introduction of these practices has reduced the incidence of birth defects. Some of these measures are:

• Modifying the diet of women of childbearing age,  ensuring access to vital  minerals and vitamins  such as folic acid.

• Ensuring that pregnant women do not ingest substances that may be harmful to the developing baby. These harmful substances include, but are not limited to, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

• Attend regular medical check-ups and perform mandatory tests before conception and throughout pregnancy. This helps to detect and control diseases such as diabetes that can be kept under control with the right diet.
• Avoiding exposure to harmful substances  during pregnancy .  These substances include, for example, heavy metals and insecticides.
• Limitation of radiation exposure  (including restriction of ingestion of drugs). Restrictions on radiation exposure and medication intake should always be assessed in advance in terms of risks and benefits for both maternal and infant health.

• Improving health promotion programs, including facilitating access to vaccinations. Of the vaccines, rubella vaccine is especially important for women and girls. Vaccines for childhood rubella are effective in preventing this disease. If a woman has not had this disease before, then she can take the rubella vaccine during pregnancy.

Science has made great strides forward in recent years. With scientific advances, birth defects have become increasingly rare. But prevention or early detection of all kinds of abnormalities is still important – before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and after pregnancy.