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Birth Defect: Babies
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Hearing loss affects 12,000 children born in the United States each year - - 33 babies a day -- making it the most common birth defect. Thanks to recent advances... most children with hearing loss can learn to listen and talk.
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The number or structure of chromosomes can ... cause birth defects. An error during the formation of an egg or sperm can cause a baby to be born with too few or too many chromosomes, or with a damaged chromosome. Birth defects caused by chromosome problems include Down syndrome. The risk of this type of birth defect often increases with the age of the mother.
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Birth defects are ... called "congenital anomalies" or "congenital abnormalities." The word "congenital" means "present at birth." The words "anomalies" and "abnormalities" mean that there is a problem present in a baby.
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If you have a concern about a specific birth defect, you may be able to have your baby tested for it as well. Talk to your health care provider about this before the baby is born.
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Research is ongoing to find and treat the causes of many birth defects. Immunizations of the mother against certain infections, such as rubella, can prevent infection. Much has been learned about the dangerous effects of alcohol on the developing baby and women are now advised to not drink during pregnancy. In recent years, a strong link has been discovered between the lack of the B-vitamin folic acid and the development of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Taking a vitamin containing sufficient folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy can often help prevent many serious defects.
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Chromosomal birth defects: Abnormalities in the number or structure of chromosomes can cause many birth defects. Chromosomal abnormalities usually result from an error that occurred when an egg or sperm cell was developing. As a result of this error, a baby can be born with too many or too few chromosomes, or with one or more chromosomes that are broken or rearranged.
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