Do you know babies can have abnormalities at birth

Birth defects are abnormalities of body structure that occur during intrauterine life, can be identified prenatally, at birth or later in life.

Birth defects may result from abnormal process during formation of an organ, mechanical forces that affect formation of an organ, interruption of a normally developed organ.

Birth defects can affect any part of the body and a baby may be born with one or more defects.

These birth defects may be recognized at birth during physical examination or antenatally through ultrasound scanning.

As Online maternity clinic, we encourage all women to enquire from health personnel if their baby has been assessed thoroughly for external birth defects.

Note that some birth defects can be corrected if recognized early.

If left unattended, birth defects may affect the future life of the person.

Some of common birth defects include;

Talipes equinovarus, missing or extra toes, hypospadias (displaced urethra), imperforate anus, gastroschisis and omphalocele (an opening on the abdomen), spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate or combined, defects of the eyes, defects of the brain (anencephaly) etc. These are but a few defects.

Please ask your doctor or midwife if your baby has been assessed