Birth Defects Essay -- essays research papers fc

sustain defects, or congenitalmal fundamental laws, are the faulty formation ofstructures or body parts present at birth.Sporadic, hereditary, or acquired defects whitethorn beimmediately observed or may become telllater in life they may be visible on the bodysurface or present internally. Birth defects may belife threatening and require surgical correction, orthey may hinder with function or appearance. Itis estimated that about 3% of all children are naturalwith major defects minor defects or variations areestimated to slide by in 10% to 15% of births.Malformations may be single or multiple. Multiplemalformations that occur in a regular recognizablepattern are referred to as syndromes--forexample, the FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROMEsometimes observed in infants of mothers whodrank heavily when pregnant. Birth defects mayresult from the action of genes, chromosomes, orthe environment on the underdeveloped fetus, but oftenthe throw endnot be determined. Inherited DefectsAbnormal gene s cause a significant number ofdifferent birth defects. Some can be identified as asingle-gene disorder that is inherited in a simpleMendelian mode, that is, either a dominant or arecessive pattern. For example, lobster clawdeformity of the hands and feet (split hands orfeet) is inherited and results from the effect of asingle dominant gene. A individual who has thisdeformity runs a 50% risk (1 in 2) of bearing return who will inherit the gene and willtherefore also be affected. Autosomal rece...