Birth defects
Definition
Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that can affect various parts of the body. They may result from genetic factors, exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, or a combination of both.
Analogy
Think of birth defects as errors in construction during fetal development. Just like how mistakes made during building can lead to structural issues in a house, errors during pregnancy can cause abnormalities in a baby's development.
Related terms
Congenital disorder: A congenital disorder is any condition present at birth that may be caused by genetic factors, prenatal exposure to harmful substances, or unknown reasons.
Teratogens: Teratogens are substances such as drugs, chemicals, infections, or radiation that can interfere with normal embryonic development and increase the risk of birth defects.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS): FAS is a specific birth defect caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It can lead to physical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities in the baby.
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