Birth defects are conditions present at the time of birth, affecting the shape or function of a baby's body and potentially influencing their long-term health, development, and daily functions. These vary widely, with thousands of different types identified. In the United States alone, approximately 120,000 babies are born with a birth defect each year.

Common Birth Defects:

To equip you with knowledge, here are some of the most common birth defects you might encounter:

• Heart defects
• Cleft lip and cleft palate
• Down syndrome
• Spina bifida

While the exact cause of many birth defects remains unknown, scientific research has identified several potential contributors:

Potential Causes:

• Maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.
• Exposure to certain street and prescription drugs, as well as specific medications.
• Certain infections during pregnancy, such as cytomegalovirus or sexually transmitted infections.
• Genetic factors, which may involve genetic conditions passed from one or both parents.

With knowledge, partners and families can take proactive steps in understanding and managing birth defects. It's crucial to consult healthcare providers to get personalized advice and support.

Comprehensive List of Birth Defects:

Below is a comprehensive list of various birth defects to help you identify and understand them. Each link contains more in-depth information to guide you in supporting yourselves or loved ones dealing with these conditions.

• Achondroplasia
• Aglossia: A baby is born without a tongue, possibly indicating other congenital developmental issues.
• Albinism: The absence of melanin, either fully or partially, affecting skin, eyes, and hair, leading to visual challenges.
• Ambras Syndrome
• Amniotic band syndrome
• Anencephaly: A neural tube defect resulting in an absent forebrain, often fatal.
• Aniridia: Missing iris, affecting vision due to poor retinal development.
• Anophthalmos / Microphthalmos: Absence of one or both eyes at birth.
• Anorectal atresia/stenosis
• Anotia / Microtia: Missing ears, a genetic disorder possibly affecting hearing.
• Arhinencephaly / Holoprosencephaly: Abnormal nervous system development, potentially severe.
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Affects communication and behavior.
• Bloom Syndrome
• Brachydactyly: Shortened fingers or toes.
• Cerebral Palsy
• Achromatopsia: Color blindness, visual defect causing colored-tinged perception.
• Cleft foot and hand: Rare abnormality, possibly requiring surgical intervention.
• Cleft lip with or without cleft palate
• Cleft palate without cleft lip
• Club Foot: Congenital foot deformity, managed through therapeutic interventions.
• Coarctation of aorta
• Congenital heart defect
• Craniopagus parasiticus
• Cyclopia
• Cystic fibrosis
• Cystic kidney
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Down syndrome: Extra chromosome causing developmental challenges.
• Dwarnian ear
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Fetus in fetu
• Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
• Fragile X syndrome
• Fused limbs
• Gastroschisis
• Heterochromia: Different iris colors.
• Hydrocephaly: Excessive cerebrospinal fluid pressuring the brain.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
• Hypospadias
• Indeterminate sex
• Jewish Genetic Diseases
• Limb reduction defects
• Marfan syndrome
• Neural tube defects
• Neurofibromatosis
• Oesophageal atresia/stenosis with or without fistula
• Omphalocele
• PKU Phenylketonuria
• Polydactyly: Additional fingers/toes, generally treated surgically.
• Progeria
• Renal Agenesis
• Rh disease
• Siamese Twins
• Sickle cell disease
• Small intestine atresia/stenosis
• Spina bifida: Spinal defect, its severity varies.
• Tay Sachs and Sandhoff diseases
• Tetralogy of Fallot: Combination of four heart defects.
• Thalassemia
• Transposition of Great Vessels: Abnormal heart blood vessel arrangement.
• Trisomy 13: Patau Syndrome
• Trisomy 18: Edward Syndrome
• Vestigial Tail

Having knowledge about different birth defects empowers individuals and families to seek appropriate guidance and support from healthcare professionals. Armed with information, proactive steps can be taken to optimize health outcomes for affected individuals. Remember, you are not alone, and support is always available to guide you on this journey.