Congenital disorders are those that exist at birth or occur during neonatal phase. Non infectious congenital disorders might develop due to genetic abnormalities, errors of morphogenesis, intrauterine environment and chromosomal abnormality.
Proper care before and during pregnancy can lower the chances of congenital disorders in babies. Steps to be taken during pregnancy include:
- Quit smoking
- Say no to alcohol and drugs
- Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
- Keep blood pressure and diabetes in control
- Maintain a healthy weight
Resting your body and mind during pregnancy is also very important. Physical and mental exertion increase the chances of developing congenital disorders in babies. Women who face domestic violence face a greater risk of delivering a baby with some congenital defect, as a result of the trauma during foetal development.
Some common congenital disorders
Heart defects – caused due to improper development of the heart during foetal development
Cleft lip and palate – When either the upper lip or palate or both do not develop fully it causes a cleft lip/ palate.
Thalassemia – It is a blood disorder that the child might inherit. In this disease the body makes abnormal form of haemoglobin, and this results in destruction of red blood cells, thus causing anaemia.
Haemophilia -It is an inherited disease of blood in which the blood does not clot properly. It means an injury might cause profuse bleeding, as the blood takes time to clot.
Mongolism – It is also known as downs syndrome. This disease is caused due to chromosomal abnormalities and results in a flat face, under developed facial features, short and stubby fingers and mental disorders.