COMMON CONGENITAL BIRTH DEFECTS

Statistically, there is one out of every 33 newborns with a congenital anomalies which usually occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, can manifest in the visceral external  or internal form. Nonetheless, these birth defects must be detected early for timely management and surgery in the initial days after birth. Together with American International Hospital (AIH), let's find out common birth defects in newborns and notes of each type of anomaly as below:
 
► Diaphragmatic hernia

This is a severe congenital malformation, there is one out of every 3000 newborns has diaphragmatic hernia which causes severe respiratory distress, possible early mortality once birthing. You may have a unique malformation or accompained with other malformations in the heart, brain, kidney. Some cases have late manifestations with pneumonia, dyspnea and incidentally detected through X-ray. When taking care of children with diaphragmatic hernia, Ambu bag breathing must not use , endotracheal intubation is required for respiratory support.
 
► Umbilical hernia

This malformation occurs when  part of the intestine protrudes through the navel because of intra-abdominal pressure. This is a painless tumor which is usually protruded when laughing, crying, coughing, defecating and collapsed when lying down to relax. In some cases, umbilical hernia can hide into the abdomen and sealed by the abdominal wall muscles before delivery date. When transferring a child with an umbilical hernia, we need to ensure the hernia mass is covered with sterile dressings and a plastic bag or adhesive strapping (to prevent dehydration). In addition, the child must be completely fasted and have a nasogastric tube in place.   

► Meningocele

This defect is extremely rare, occurred in fetal vertebrae. It can cause neurological dysfunction, effects of physical appearance, daily activities in newborns. The most obvious manifestation of this defect is the tumor positions in the lumbar midline or sacrococcygeal region.

► Congenital anomalies

Formed in the gestation and existed since the baby is born, congenital heart defects have recognition signs such as tachycardia, dyspnea, poor weight gain, edema in the legs, abdomen, eyes, pale skin… According to statistics,  there is 1% of newborns have congenital heart defects and are treated by surgery and medications.

► Foot deformity

This is one of skeletal deformities commonly seen in neonates, usually accompanies with other defects such as pelvic dysplasia, congenital multiple joint stiffness, knee misalignment, torticollis, clubhand…. Babies with foot deformity may have postpartum abnormal movements. When these manifestations occur, doctor visit is required for timely treatment, avoiding impacts on baby’s cosmetic and motion development in the future.

Some other congenital birth defects that mothers should also pay attention to:
 

 
In order to detect neonatal birth defects, hospitals will provide routine neonatal examination in the first 24-48 hours from birth. In addition, for early detection, expectant mothers should have regular prenatal care, take a proper diet, especially folic acid supplements to minimize the risk of birth defects.

At the AIH, physicians and nutritionists will monitor and provide specific recommendations for individual parturient in order to create the best care plan for maternal and fetal health. In particular, AIH is the pioneer international hospital in Vietnam applies a system of  family delivery suites following American standrad -  also called LDRP (labor - vaginal delivery – recovery – postpartum care), which allows parturients and families staying in an unique versatile room from the labour to postpartum maternal condition is safe and stable.