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Birth defects are structural or functional defects that occur when babies are developing in the mother's womb
For all the women thinking of getting pregnant or expecting, it is extremely important to know and understand the risk of birth defects. While they cannot always be prevented, experts say there are a lot of aspects of prenatal care that protect your unborn baby. Also, with advancements in science and medicine, treatments are also available to make sure the baby survives and thrives after birth despite having a birth defect or fetal condition.
The World Health Organisation says at least 6 per cent of babies are born with birth defects worldwide. Birth defects are structural or functional defects that occur when babies are developing in the mother's womb. A few examples of birth defects include cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, and diaphragmatic hernias.
Why do birth defects happen?
According to doctors, birth defects can happen for many reasons. For example, folic acid deficiency, diabetes in mothers, obesity, the use of certain drugs during pregnancy, alcohol consumption, and recreational drugs can affect fetal development.
“Some infections, like rubella or German measles during the first three months of pregnancy, can also have harmful effects. Genetic reasons could cause some of these defects. Consanguineous marriage is also one of the reasons for a few birth defects,” Dr. Manju Khemani, Principal Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Head of Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, told Times Now.
What can a woman do to prevent birth defects?
According to Dr. Khemani, it is important to go for pre-pregnancy counselling and get all relevant tests done as advised by your doctor. “More defective babies are born to obese women, so one should try to reduce weight before planning a pregnancy or at least start a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
Also, you must start including 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily for at least a month before and during pregnancy. Taking folic acid helps prevent major birth defects called neural tube defects, which are formed in the spinal cord and brain. “If you are suffering from seizure disorders, you should consult a neurologist to switch them over to safe drugs for pregnancy. These women need more folic acid as compared to normal patients,” said Dr. Khemani.
A few other precautions include:
- Avoid taking or completely stopping anti-acne drugs for at least six months before pregnancy, as they can lead to birth defects.
- Avoid taking alcohol and recreational drugs when you are trying to conceive.
- Avoid self-medication, as certain drugs during pregnancy can lead to birth defects.
- During pregnancy, getting regular checkups and ultrasounds from time to time as advised by an obstetrician will help in diagnosing these defects early during pregnancy.
If you have one child affected by a birth defect, will all your future children have that same condition?
According to experts, all future children will not definitively be affected by the same birth defect, but it also depends on what the cause is. If the birth defect was caused by a genetic mutation, there may be a higher likelihood of recurrence, but if you seek care from a specialized center, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and genetic counselors can work with you to assess future risk.
The risk of some conditions can be determined before you become pregnant through genetic testing.
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