| - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - General Birth Defects Information
A birth defect is an abnormality in bodily structure, metabolism or function present at birth that results in a mental or physical disability. Birth defects can also result in death. More than 150,000 babies are born each year with a birth defect. Statistics show that birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life.
There are thousands of different types of birth defects, each with its own causes, symptoms and prognosis. The most common forms of birth defects include cerebral palsy, cleft lip, cleft palate, club foot, cystic fibrosis, down syndrome and spina bifida.
- - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Causes of Birth Defects
Environmental and genetic factors cause birth defects, but many birth defects have no known cause.
Genetic birth defects result when one or both parents pass a faulty gene on to the baby. Dominant Inheritance occurs when one parent (who may or may not have the disease) passes a single faulty gene to the child. Achronodoplasia (a form of dwarfism) and Marfan syndrome (a connective tissue disease) are forms of dominant inheritance defects. Recessive Inheritance occurs when both parents (who do not suffer from the disease) happen to carry the same faulty gene and both pass it on to their child. Forms of recessive inheritance include Tay-Sachs disease (a fatal defect that strikes people of European Jewish decent) and cystic fibrosis (a fatal disorder of the lungs and other organs). X-Linked Inheritance occurs when a son contracts a genetic disease from his mother (who does not have the disease). Hemophilia (a blood disorder) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (progressive muscle weakness) are forms of X-linked inheritance.
Environmental factors that can lead to birth defects include drug abuse, alcohol abuse, infection and exposure to some medications and chemicals.
- - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Symptoms of Birth Defects
Each type of birth defect has its own set of symptoms. Some types of birth defects can be diagnosed before birth through prenatal testing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Possible Lifestyle Changes for Birth Defects Prevention
Although the causes of most birth defects are not known, there are steps a woman can take to reduce the risks to her child. Good prenatal care is essential, especially for women with diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy. Women who have never had the chicken pox should consult with their doctors about the possibility of being immunized for the disease. All pregnant women should take a prenatal vitamin everyday that includes 400 micrograms of folic acid. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should abstain from alcohol, street drugs and cigarettes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - In accordance with FDA regulation, we do not make any therapeutic claims for any Dietary Supplements in accordance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.
Beneficial Dietary Supplements
Folic Acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects.
Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement provides a balance of nutrients necessary for fetal development.
Zinc, when taken before pregnancy, reduces neural tube defects by 35%.
Vitamin A can reduce the risks of birth defects.
REFERENCES: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, Phyllis Balch, CNC; James F. Balch, M.D. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - -
Buy Beneficial Dietary Supplements and Products Below. |
