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Birth Anomaly Correction in Bhubaneswar

Birth Anomaly Correction

Birth Anomaly Correction in Bhubaneswar

While most newborns are healthy, some are born with congenital anomalies, or birth defects, that affect various parts of their bodies such as limbs, heart, spine, and other organs. Birth Anomaly Correction involves medical or surgical treatments tailored to address these congenital abnormalities that develop during pregnancy. At Manipal Hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, we provide comprehensive care for correcting birth defects through a multidisciplinary approach. Our team includes paediatric surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, cardiologists, and geneticists, who collaborate to develop customised treatment plans based on the type and severity of the anomaly. Treatment may involve surgery, therapy, medication, or a combination of these approaches. Long-term success often requires ongoing monitoring and follow-up care, ensuring that each child receives the best possible outcome and quality of life.

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FAQ's

Birth anomalies fall into two primary groups:

Structural Birth Anomalies: These anomalies are related to a problem with the structure of body parts. These can include:

  • Cleft lip or cleft palate

  • Heart abnormalities, such as missing or faulty valves

  • Atypical limbs, such as a clubfoot

  • Neural tube defects and problems related to the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord

Developmental Birth Anomalies: Also known as functional congenital anomalies, these are related to a problem with how a body part or body system works or functions. These problems can include:

  • Nervous system or brain problems: These include behavioural issues, speech or language challenges, mobility issues, seizures, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Congenital abnormalities that impact the neurological system include Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome.

  • Sensory problems: Examples of sensory congenital anomalies include hearing loss and visual problems, such as blindness or deafness.

  • Metabolic disorders: These diseases include conditions that impair the body's capacity to eliminate waste products or dangerous substances, as well as issues with specific chemical reactions that occur within the body. Hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria are two prevalent metabolic diseases.

  • Degenerative disorders: These diseases cause one or more elements of health to gradually decrease, even though they may not be evident at birth. Examples of degenerative disorders are muscular dystrophy and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, which lead to problems in the nervous system and the adrenal glands.

The reasons for many birth anomalies are still unclear, and the causes of different congenital defects vary.

  • Genetic problems: There's a significant probability that the infant will inherit the faulty gene if one or both of the parents have it. 

  • Chromosomal problems: In some cases, a chromosomal gene or a portion of a gene may be absent, like in Turner syndrome, a condition when a female lacks an X chromosome. Some congenital anomalies result from having an extra chromosome, such as in Klinefelter syndrome and Down syndrome.

  • Infections during pregnancy: A mother's illness can cause a child to acquire a deformity before it is born in several ways.

The baby is likely to be born with a congenital defect if the mother suffers from a significant sickness, particularly in the first two months of pregnancy. Maternal illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune diseases can occasionally impair the foetus growth, leading to an undeveloped baby who may grow up with an abnormality. The unborn child's growth will be impacted if the mother smokes or drinks alcohol.

  • Environmental factors: The foetus may suffer if the expecting mother lives close to a radiation exposure area, a landfill, a garbage dump, or mines. During the initial few weeks of her pregnancy, a woman may use medicines that could harm the developing foetus without realising she is pregnant. This harm could result in one or more congenital defects in the newborn.

  • Exposure to medications, and chemicals during pregnancy: Congenital anomalies have been linked to thalidomide exposure in infants whose mothers used the medication. Additional instances include being exposed to harmful substances like hydrocarbons and rubella, often known as German measles.

Birth anomaly diagnosis is based on the particular problem and the body parts that are impacted.

  • Prenatal screening: During pregnancy, women undergo routine blood and urine tests to screen for conditions like diabetes and infections. Blood tests can also detect chemical markers indicating the baby’s risk for neural tube defects and chromosomal abnormalities. Ultrasound scans provide visual monitoring of the fetus, allowing healthcare professionals to detect certain congenital anomalies. Women over 35 or with a family history of specific diseases are advised to have additional prenatal testing to check for congenital abnormalities.

  • Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT): Although NIPT is not a standard prenatal test, it is used when a standard test raises the possibility that the foetus has a chromosomal problem, such as Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, or Edwards syndrome, which is characterised by an extra or absent chromosome in each cell. NIPT does not require cell samples from inside the womb; instead, it analyses the placental DNA found in the mother's blood. Experts currently advise against NIPT, unless in cases of high-risk pregnancies.

  • Amniocentesis: This test is typically used to find out if a foetus has a genetic disorder. Using a long needle, a medical professional extracts a small volume of fluid from the womb for this test. The fluid, known as amniotic fluid, is made up of cells whose genetic makeup is identical to that of the foetus. The cells are grown in a lab, where their genetic makeup is analysed for issues. Amniocentesis can be used to identify congenital defects such as Down syndrome and some forms of muscular dystrophy.

  • Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): The placenta is the organ in the womb that feeds the foetus. The medical professional uses a long needle to remove cells from the tissues of the placenta. The chorionic villus cells and foetal cells share the same genetic makeup.

CVS is a test for chromosomal anomalies and other genetic issues, similar to amniocentesis. Compared to amniocentesis, CVS can be performed earlier in pregnancy, although it carries an increased risk of miscarriage. Those who are thinking about getting CVS while pregnant should talk to their healthcare physician about the test's hazards.

  • Newborn screening: This is a procedure that examines an infant's blood for a variety of congenital anomalies. Early detection of issues allows for the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses before they have long-term consequences. These tests also include a measure of the baby's blood oxygen levels and pulse rate to identify serious congenital heart disorders.

Babies who are at risk for specific disorders due to their family history can be tested further at birth to identify these conditions and receive necessary treatment. 

Birth anomalies should ideally be detected and treated as soon as possible, as some of these flaws may worsen existing health conditions. Reconstructive surgery is performed by the surgeon in the event of physical abnormalities such as a cleft lip, cleft hand, or breast deformity. The majority of plastic surgeons first consult with the necessary specialists before doing surgery to correct congenital abnormalities.

An incision is made on the problematic area by the surgeon, who then adjusts the position and removes the undesired muscles. The incision is stitched together by the surgeon so that it seems natural and doesn't obstruct normal movement.

Birth defects are not preventable but can be reduced by several factors:

  • Pregnant women should start taking folic acid supplements before conception and throughout the pregnancy to prevent spine and brain defects.

  • Prenatal vitamins are also recommended.

  • Women should avoid alcohol, drugs, and tobacco during and after pregnancy, and be cautious when taking certain medications.

  • Most vaccines are safe during pregnancy, but live-virus vaccines may pose a risk to the developing foetus.

  • Maintaining a healthy weight and managing pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, can also reduce the risk of complications.

  • Regular prenatal appointments are crucial, and doctors can perform additional screenings to identify defects and treat them before the baby is born.

Couples who have a family history of a birth defect or other risk factors might receive advice from a genetic counsellor. If you're considering having children or are already pregnant, seeing a counsellor may be beneficial. Genetic counsellors can assess medical data and family history to estimate the chance that your child will be born with abnormalities. In addition, they could request genetic testing on the mother, father, and child.

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