Fetus Development Malformations: Risk Factors & Types

Inborn malformation (birth defect) is any persistent anatomical deviation in the development of an organ or part of the body. It is caused by teratogenic factors or genetic mutations. Causes of intrauterine fetal anomalies. All the known causes of the development of inborn fetal abnormalities can be divided into two groups:

Hereditary (pathology is transferred to a child with mutated genes from either one or both of the parents).

Occurring Due to the Teratogenic Factors

  • Consumption of medicine (uncontrolled consumption of particular kinds of medicine may lead to various malformations of development)
  • Mothers’ harmful habits ( smoking, alcohol, drugs)
  • Infection decreases (measles, rubella, cytomegalovirus)
  • Exposure to ionizing radiation
  • Exposure to the chemicals (benzene, mercury)
  • Mechanical factors (tumors of the uterus, malposition of the fetus)
  • The injury that took place during the first trimester
  • Occupational hazards affecting
pregnant-women-smoking

Classification of Inborn Malformations of Fetal Development.

There are several classifications of inborn abnormalities of the fetus known nowadays

  • According to the cause
  • According to the time period
  • According to intensity
  • According to frequency
  • According to the spreading in the body
  • According to the anatomical feature

Classification of the Inborn Abnormalities According to the Cause of Development

  • Hereditary – Appear as a result of changes in the genotype of sex cells.
  • Teratogenic – Are caused by the influence of harmful factors during various periods of pregnancy.
  • Multifactorial – Caused by both hereditary and teratogenic factors.
  • Abnormalities without any particular cause.

Classification of Malformations According to the Time of Appearance

Classification-Of-Malformations
  • Gametopathies: Appear as a result of sperm cells abnormalities, aging of the ovules, or mutations of the sex cells (chromosome or genetic diseases)
  • Blastopathies: Develop during two weeks after fertilization.
  • Embryopathies: Develop during the period from 2-8 weeks the pregnancy began.
  • Fetopathies: Appear during the 9th week of the pregnancy till the child-birth. (Cryptorhysm, organs hypoplasia)

Classification According to the Degree of Difficultness of the Development Malformation.

  • Moderately – severe. Such malformations carried abnormalities that require treatment but are not dangerous to the life of the child and do not affect his life.
  • Severe. Malformations that require immediate treatment might be dangerous for child’s life.
  • Lethal. Development malformations that are not incompatible with survival.

Classification According to Frequency.

  • ( 1 or more out of 1000 pregnant)
  • Moderately-frequent. ( up to 10 cases out of 1000)
  • ( up to 10 cases out of 100000)
  • Very rare ( less than 10 cases out of 100000)

Classification According to the Spreading in the Body.

  • Isolated ( abnormality of only one organ)
  • System ( combination of several malformations in one system)
  • Multiple ( combination of several organ malformations in various systems)

Classification According to the Anatomical Feature.

baby-in-hospital
  • Malformations of the respiratory system
  • Malformations of the nervous system
  • Malformations of the cardiovascular system
  • Malformations of the digestive system
  • Malformations of the urinary system
  • Malformations of the reproductive system
  • Malformations of the muscle-skeletal system
  • Palatal and labial malformations
  • Malformations of neck, face, ears, and eyes

Common Birth Defects (Ascending)

Development abnormality and definitionMain symptomsTreatmentThe prognosis for living and health
Agenesis of lungs (pulmonary) The complete absence of one of the lungs and main bronchus.Dead-birth with the absence of both lungs. Signs of respiratory distress (shortness of breath at rest, cough), susceptibility to inflammatory diseases due to the absence of one lung.No specific treatment exists. Supportive therapy (additional oxygen inhalation, antibiotics)In the absence of both lungs, the fetus is not viable. When aplasia of lung prognosis is variable (depending on the development of complications)
Kidney agenesis. The complete absence of one or both of the kidneys.Stillbirth in the case of absence of both kidneys. Signs of kidneys failure in case of kidney aplasia.Surgical treatment ( kidney transplantation)In the case of agenesis of both kidneys, the fetus is not viable. In the case of one kidney aplasia, everything depends on the treatment efficiency.
Acrania. Partial or complete absence of the skull bones, skin, and abnormal brain developmentPronounced outward signsNo treatment existsA fetus is not viable.
Albinism. The inborn absence of pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and iris of the eye.The white color of the skin, hair, red iris of the eyes, and vision defects.Specific treatment does not exist. It is recommended to avoid sun radiation.If all prescriptions are followed the prognosis is positive.
Anencephaly. The complete absence of cerebral hemispheres.Deformation of skull bones, the absence of the brainSpecific treatment does not existThe fetus is not viable and the abortion is prescribed at any period of pregnancy
Aproctia. The absence of an anus hole.Visual symptoms. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction in a few hours after feedingSurgeryThe prognosis may be positive in case the treatment took place on time
Esophageal atresia. Inborn obstruction of the esophagusThe lack of cross-probe Increased salivation Signs of respiratory failureSurgeryThe prognosis may be positive in case the treatment took place on time
Down syndrome. Chromosomal abnormalities, lead to the rejection of physical and mental development in different degrees of severityDelayed mental and physical development. Characteristic appearanceSpecific treatment does not existIncreased susceptibility to many diseases. If the proper teaching is performed partial compensation of mental abilities may take place
Cleft palate.External signs Labored breathing inability to suckSurgery should be performed no earlier than a child turns 6 monthsIf the treatment is adequate and is performed at the right time the child is considered completely cured
Inborn cloaca. The merging of the rectum, vagina, urethra into one channelExternal signsSurgeryThe results can be various. In the severe form, incontinence may still take place
Congenital dislocation of the hip Congenital deficiency of the hip jointThe asymmetry of the hip skin folds. The shortening of the leg. Limitation of hip abduction. Positive slipping symptomWide diapering, wearing tavern, surgeryIf the treatment is performed in time the prognosis is positive
Inborn cretinism. A significant delay in mental and physical development is due to a lack of thyroid hormones.Stunting (dwarfism, disproportionate body) Mental retardation up to the idiocyLifelong thyroid hormone treatmentIf the treatment is performed in earlier stages the prognosis is positive enough, but the complete recovery does not take place
Inborn megacolon (Hirschsprung’s disease) Pathological thickening and lengthening of the large intestineStomach ache Flatulence ConstipationConservative treatment (diet, laxatives, enemas), surgeryPrognosis depends on the degree of abnormalities and the efficiency of the treatment
Inborn heart defects Anomalies in the structure and development of the heart and great vesselsDepends on the degree of damageSurgeryPrognosis depends on the type of the defect and on the efficiency of treatment