What is a birth defect?
Q: What is a birth defect?
A: A birth defect is a defect that occurs in a baby at birth or within the first month of life.
Q: Is the cause of a birth defect always known?
A: No, the cause of a birth defect is not always known.
Q: What does it mean if a condition is said to be "congenital"?
A: If a condition is said to be "congenital", it means it was present at birth.
Q: Can birth defects be caused by environmental factors?
A: Yes, birth defects can be caused by environmental factors as well as genetic abnormalities.
Q: Are all congenital defects hereditary?
A: No, not all congenital defects are hereditary. Some may be caused by conditions such as infectious diseases.
Q: How can doctors find out if a baby has a congenital disorder before birth?
A: Doctors can use prenatal diagnosis and screening tests such as amniocentesis to find out if a baby has a congenital disorder before birth.
Q: Is the term "birth defect" neutral as to cause?
A: Yes, the term "birth defect" is neutral as to cause.
