Birth Defects

Birth Defects are structural or functional abnormalities that occur during fetal development and can affect nearly any part of the body. These conditions can vary significantly in severity and impact, ranging from mild issues that require little or no treatment to severe complications that may affect a child’s health and development throughout their life.

Birth defects can be categorized into several types, including:

1. Structural Defects: These involve physical changes in specific body parts, such as congenital heart defects, cleft lip or palate, and spina bifida.

2. Functional Defects: These affect the way a body part works rather than its structure, such as metabolic disorders or conditions that affect the brain’s function.

3. Genetic Defects: These are caused by chromosomal abnormalities or genetic mutations, such as Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.