Congenital disorders better known as birth defects are genetic abnormalities acquired during and oftentimes before birth. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthdefects.html Birth defects develop in an unborn baby particularly during the first three months of a woman’s pregnancy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthdefects.html

According to the March of Dimes, an American non-profit organization, an estimated 150,000 newborn babies in the United States are born with birth defects on a yearly basis. http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/birth_defects.html

In entirety, there are more than 4,000 known birth defects, ranging from structural up to metabolic abnormalities.http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/birth_defects.html

Birth defects are grouped into two categories the structural and the functional, or developmental birth defects. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/birth_defects.cfm Structural birth defects refer to abnormality in the physical appearance of a person’s body parts, while functional refers to the dysfunction of body parts that doesn’t necessarily equate to physical malformation. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/birth_defects.cfm

Hence, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also named six major types of birth defects. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20060105/cdc-lists-top-6-types-of-birth-defects These six major types include genetic defects such as down syndrome, mouth and facial defects such as cleft palate, musculoskeletal defects, intestinal defects, eye defects and heart defects. They are the six most common birth defects found in newborn babies. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20060105/cdc-lists-top-6-types-of-birth-defects

Most forms of birth defects are carried up to adulthood and can pose serious lasting effects to a child. Birth defects are also the leading cause of early deaths particularly during the stage of infancy. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20060105/cdc-lists-top-6-types-of-birth-defects

Despite the uncertainty over the factors that contribute to the development of birth defects, medical experts cite two general causes of birth defects, the genes and the environment. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/birthdefects.htm

Most birth defects can be attributed to the mother or father’s genetic composition and their family history. Needless to say, 25 percent of birth defects are caused by known genetic abnormalities. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/birthdefects.htm

On the other hand, environmental birth defects are subdivided into chemical, biological and physical factors. Chemical factors include prescription drugs and other risky medical treatments. Biological factors can be a result of illness, while physical factors refer to X-rays and radiation therapies. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/birthdefects.htm