Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022): Genetics and birth defects
A birth defect is a problem that occurs while the baby is developing in the mother's body. Most birth defects occur during the first three months of pregnancy. One in 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect.
A birth defect can affect how the body looks, how it works, or both. Some birth defects like cleft lip or neural tube defects are structural problems that can be easy to notice. Others, like heart defects, are diagnosed using special tests. Birth defects can range from mild to severe. In general, how these affect a child's life depends on which organ or body part is involved and how serious the problem is.
Published:
2022-10-01
