| Most couples get a little uncomfortable to | | | | condition, only one parent needs a genetic defect |
| confront the chances of a birth defect during | | | | for the irregularity to be passed on to a child. |
| pregnancy. However, if you are planning to get | | | | Achondroplasia and Marfan Syndrome are two |
| pregnant soon, it is very important that you keep | | | | examples of dominantly inherited genetic birth |
| yourself knowledgeable about why, how and what | | | | defects. |
| causes genetic birth defects. Having enough | | | | X-linked – This is the birth abnormality passed |
| knowledge about this birth abnormality can help | | | | on by mothers to their sons. In this case, the |
| you prevent your baby from having one. | | | | defect affects only the X-chromosome. Males |
| Most birth defects are genetic in nature. Birth | | | | have only one X chromosome. In the case that |
| defects are irregularities of the function and | | | | the X chromosome was faulty, then the baby is |
| structure of the baby. More often than not, birth | | | | most likely to be born with a genetic defect. |
| defects are passed on from the parents. In some | | | | There are a wide range of birth defects. Some of |
| cases, they are caused by several environmental | | | | the most common hereditary birth defects are |
| hazards to which the mother was exposed to | | | | the following: |
| during pregnancy. To date, around 4,000 birth | | | | Muscular Dystrophy – It is a muscle disease |
| defects have been discovered. Birth defects vary | | | | that causes the muscles to weaken. Such |
| in intensity and in types. For some, it can come in | | | | hereditary defect is inherited from the mother. |
| the form of physical abnormalities. For others, it | | | | Tay-Sachs Disease – This disease affects the |
| can result to developmental delays. For a few, it | | | | patient's central nervous system. It can cause |
| can cause death. The sad part is that all genetic | | | | dementia, blindness and seizures. Such abnormality |
| birth defects usually cause physical and emotional | | | | can be dangerous and fatal. If both the mother |
| hardships not only to the patient but to the | | | | and the father have a faulty gene, their offspring |
| parents as well. | | | | has a 25% chance of being born with the disease. |
| Genetic birth defects can be passed down | | | | Sickle Cell Anemia – This is a disorder of the |
| through different ways. It can be passed on by | | | | red blood cells. This can cause pain, fatigue and |
| the father. It can also be passed on by the | | | | other health complications. This defect is common |
| mother. In some cases, it can even be passed on | | | | among Latin-Americans and African-Americans. If |
| by both. Below, we will discuss the three ways to | | | | both parents carry the gene, their child has a |
| pass on birth defect. | | | | 25% chance of being born with the disease. |
| Recessive inheritance – In this case, the | | | | As mentioned above, genetic birth defects are |
| mother and the father need to have a faulty | | | | hereditary in nature. However, if you want to |
| gene in order for the defect to materialize in the | | | | make sure that your baby will come out healthy |
| offspring. Cystic Fibrosis and Tays-Sachs are birth | | | | and normal, ensure a healthy lifestyle and diet |
| abnormalities which are inherited recessively. | | | | throughout your pregnancy. |
| Dominant inheritance – For this particular | | | | |