Hesperian Health Guides
Chapter 12: Common Disabilities Present at Birth
One out of every 100 or so babies has a disability that is obvious at birth. There are many different types. In this chapter we describe a few of the most common: cleft lip and cleft palate,extra or joined fingers or toes, and limbs that are short, missing, or not typical in other ways. We also discuss children born with multiple contractures (arthrogryposis). Please also refer to the chapters on club feet (Chapter 11), and spina bifida (Chapter 22).
CAUSES
In many cases, the cause of a disability at birth is not known. But some of these disabilities may be caused by one of the following:
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| The mother of this girl with cleft lip and palate did not get enough to eat while she was pregnant. |
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| A doctor gave this boy’s mother a medicine for morning sickness. |
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| This boy’s mother was 45 years old when he was born. |
- Poor nutrition during early pregnancy. This is thought to be one cause of cleft lip and palate.
- Genetic (hereditary). Some disabilities run in families. For example, if one parent was born with an extra thumb, there is a greater chance that a child will be born with a similar disability. One or both parents may be carriers of the factor that causes a disability without having it themselves. However, it may be present in relatives. Often both parents must be carriers for a child to be born with the disability. For this reason, disabilities present at birth are more common in children whose parents are closely related, and who therefore are both carriers of the same disability-causing factors.
- Medicines, pesticides, chemicals, pollution, and poisons. Especially during the first 3 months of development, a baby in the womb can easily be harmed by chemicals and poisons. Many medicines, drugs, and pesticides (plant, insect, and rat poisons) can cause disabilities present at birth if a pregnant mother is exposed to them.
- German measles (rubella). If the mother gets German measles during the first 3 months of pregnancy, it can cause disabilities in the baby. These usually affect the senses (hearing and seeing), the brain (cerebral palsy and cognitive delay), or organs inside the body (heart, liver). Sometimes the baby is born with “rubber band-like” grooves on the limbs, or limbs or fingers that are missing or not typical in other ways.
- Children born to mothers 40 years of age or older are more likely to have Down syndrome and disabilities related to the hands, feet, or organs inside the body (heart, liver). In this age group, about 1 mother in 50 will have a child born with Down syndrome or another disability. If both parents are this age, the chance is even more.
See ways to prevent birth defects.
This page was updated:04 Apr 2024