| The term congenital means present at birth, and such | | | | chromosome damage in the sex cells before |
| defects are usually thought of as being the result of | | | | pregnancy. |
| faulty development during pregnancy (teratogenic | | | | One of the most common chromosomal congenital |
| defects), but they can in fact be inherited (genetic or | | | | defects is Down syndrome, which result from an |
| chromosomal defects). Birth defects may affect any | | | | abnormality, present before conception, in the |
| organ, and are often multiple; they range from minor | | | | genetic make up of the ovum in the woman or of |
| changes in shape to severe cases incompatible with | | | | the sperm in the man from which the baby develops. |
| life and are often responsible for early miscarriages. | | | | Such babies suffer from a variable degree of mental |
| However, a congenital defects can be detect during | | | | retardation and are usually recognizable at birth by a |
| pregnancy, at birth, year after or never. | | | | number of definite physical characteristics: short, |
| Congenital defects is any medical condition present | | | | broad face; slated eyes; short fingers; distinctive |
| before birth, at birth, years later, or never. It is the | | | | crease pattern on the hands. |
| result of a genetic abnormalities, environment and | | | | Occasionally they also have birth defects of the |
| mixture of both, errors of morphogenesis and other | | | | heart and they are susceptible to various respiratory |
| unknown factors. | | | | infections. The frequency of Down's syndrome |
| These conditions may either referred to diseases, | | | | increases with the age of the parents either the |
| defects, disorders, anomalies, or simply genetic | | | | father or a mother especially after the age of 35. |
| difference. It maybe a result during the embryonic | | | | When appropriate a doctor will recommend to an |
| development, cells sort out different layers to | | | | expectant mother to have an amniocentesis. |
| different adhesion. | | | | There is no treatment or cure for down syndrome, |
| When the fetus is damage during the early months | | | | and life expectancy is variable and may be shorter |
| of development it may result from the well known | | | | than normal. Most victims have a gentle, affectionate |
| infection the German measles and syphilis, but the | | | | natures. Any family faced the responsibility for a |
| other severe feverish illness in the absorption of | | | | Down's baby should be first discuss the problem with |
| toxic substances by the fetus through placenta. | | | | their doctor and if possible, with other parents of |
| These include drugs, alcohol and toxic substances in | | | | Down's children. They should also contact one of the |
| tobacco, but some environmental toxins such as | | | | many Down's syndrome association which operate in |
| pesticides are now also thought to be responsible, | | | | all major centers. |
| either by direct effects on the fetus or by causing | | | | |