Causes of Birth Defects

Birth defects, which affect 150,000 babies each year, may be caused by genetic or environmental factors, or a combination of the two. However, roughly two-thirds of the several thousand identified birth defects result from unknown causes.

Genetic Birth Defects

Genetic defects can be passed on from either the father or the mother. Every person has 30,000 to 35,000 genes, which determine eye and hair color, as well as other traits, characteristics and predispositions to disease and physical growth. It only takes one abnormal gene to cause a birth defect.

Half of a baby's genes come from each parent. One parent may pass on a faulty gene in a process called dominant inheritance. In these cases, the parent may or may not have the condition that they are passing along. (Examples: Achondroplasia and Marfan syndrome.) Other genetic birth defects can only occur when passed down from both parents who do not have the disease or condition but who are carriers of the abnormal gene. This process is called recessive inheritance. (Examples: Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis.) Diseases such as hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy are passed to sons from their mothers, who are carriers, but may not be afflicted themselves. Most of the time, parents do not know they carry faulty genes, thus making prevention of these types of birth defects impossible.

Other genetic causes of birth defects include abnormality in the number or structure of chromosomes, which results from an error that occurred when the egg or sperm cell were developing. Healthy babies are born with 46 chromosomes, which house the genes. If babies are born with too many or too few chromosomes, or chromosomes that are broken or rearranged, they will have birth defects. The most common chromosome defect results in Down syndrome, which produces mental retardation and distinctive physical features. Heart defects are also common in babies with Down syndrome. Other birth defects caused by chromosome abnormality often lead to death within the first few months of life.

Environmental Causes of Birth Defects

Environmental toxins that cause birth defects are the easiest to prevent. Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to physical and mental birth defects; untreated sexually transmitted infections and exposure to certain medications can also increase the risk of birth defects, as is the case with birth defects caused by Accutane, a popular acne drug. It is important to discuss any possible STD or medication exposure with a doctor prior to or upon discovery of pregnancy to reduce risk of birth defects.

When genetic factors and environmental factors combine to cause birth defects, the process is called multifactorial inheritance. This combination causes cleft lip or palate, clubfoot and some congenital heart defects. Premature babies are also at risk for developing congenital heart defects if their heart and lung anatomy are not fully developed.

Birth Defects Legal Help

If your child was born with a birth defect that was caused by an environmental factor, you may be entitled to obtain compensation for your child's birth defect. Contact us today to speak with an experienced birth defect attorney who can provide the legal help you need.

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Causes of Birth Defects

Genetic Birth Defects

Environmental Causes of Birth Defects

Birth Defects Legal Help

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