Esophageal atresia
Esophageal atresia is a congenital defect of the digestive system characterized by the improper development of the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. There are several types of esophageal atresia including one in which the upper esophagus does not connect to the lower esophagus and stomach. The
Read MoreDiaphragmatic Hernia
Diaphragmatic hernia is a serious congenital (present at birth) defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that helps a baby breathe. Through this opening part of the organs from the belly (stomach, liver, spleen and intestines) can go up into the chest cavity near the lungs. This results in
Read MoreClubfoot
Clubfoot is characterized by a range of congenital (present at birth) foot abnormalities in which a baby’s foot is twisted out of shape or position. Clubfoot is a fairly common birth defect, and usually occurs in otherwise healthy babies. Cause Anti-depressants: The use of certain anti-depressants during pregnancy has been shown to increase by nearly
Read MoreAnencephaly
Anencephaly belongs to the neural tube birth defect category and is identified by the absence of a large part of the baby’s brain and skull. This devastating, fatal birth defect occurs early in the unborn baby’s development. Causes Anti-depressants: A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine links the maternal use of certain anti-depressants to
Read MoreCraniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a craniofacial defect that causes one or more of the sutures of a baby’s head to close earlier than normal during development. Sutures are the connections that separate each of the individual skull bones in a baby’s head. A baby with craniosynostosis will suffer from an abnormally shaped head. In the most serious
Read MoreIntestinal Defects
Intestinal Defects Birth defects linked to the use of SSRIs during pregnancy are not limited to defects to the heart or brain. Your child may also suffer from defects in the intestines. A birth defect can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. In many cases, organs are not properly positioned or not fully developed. Most
Read MoreCoarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of Aorta, or aortic coarctation, is a congenital defect that occurs when the aorta is narrowed. The aorta is the large blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body’s tissues. When this blood vessel is narrowed, the baby’s heart has to work much harder to pump blood to the body. The
Read MoreVentricular Septal Defect
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) describes a congenital (present at birth) defect in which there are one or more holes in the wall (septum) that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. VSD is one of the most common congenital heart defects, occurring either by itself or with other birth defects. The septum
Read MoreTransposition of the Great Arteries
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) or Vessels is a rare congenital (present at birth) heart defect in which the two main arteries – the aorta and the pulmonary artery – that carry blood away from the heart are reversed (transposed). Normally the artery rises from the right ventricle and the aorta from the left,
Read MoreTetralogy of Fallot
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital (present at birth) heart defect, which occurs when the following four related defects of the heart and its major blood vessels are diagnosed: Ventricular septal defect (VSD): one or more holes in the wall that separates the ventricles Pulmonary stenosis (PS): narrowing of the pulmonary valve and the artery
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