Congenital deformity or birth defect means a deformity that a child was born with.  In other word, structural or functional abnormalities present at birth are known as birth defects that cause physical or mental disability. Some birth defects may be fatal also. Some birth defects may not be evident at birth but may be evident at any time after birth.

 Causes of birth defects?

 There are various causes of Birth defects, such as:

1. Unknown causes: The vast majority of congenital abnormalities have no known cause.
2. Genetic problems: Genetic problems may be hereditary (either from paternal or maternal side) or may be due to acquired genetic defects as a result of radiation, disease process etc.
3. Multi-factorial:  Defects that result from both genetic and environmental cause.
4. Environmental factors: If any woman is exposed to radiation, drugs or alcohols, smoking, chemicals, disease like rubella or German measles etc during pregnancy will cause defects of the new born. Condition during pregnancy like reduced amniotic fluid, twin baby may result in birth defects.
5. Age: Parents age specially age of mother is also an important factor. After the age of 30 years of mother, the more is the age of mother the more is the chance of developing congenital anomaly of child.
6. Malnutrition: Vitamin A, Folic Acid, Iodine and certain other nutritional deficiency of mother during pregnancy may develop congenital defects of the child.
7. Drugs: If some drugs like ’thalidomide’, etc  are taken during pregnancy, also can cause permanent damage to the fetus.

N.B: So, always check with your doctor before using any medication or supplement while you are pregnant

What are the treatments for birth defects?

1. Treatments for birth defects vary by disorder. For details visit this website and contact with us for more information about treatments of birth defects.
2. Any children may become ill or injured at one time or another. Most problems are simple and can be solved by your pediatrician. At times, however, special care from a pediatric plastic surgeon may be needed and may make the difference in achieving the best possible cosmetic result. If you think your child needs this kind of special care, request a visit with us.  If your child needs surgery to fix a deformity caused by a birth defect, injury, physical deformity, or tumor, a pediatric plastic surgeon has the experience and qualifications to treat your child.
3. Children are not just small adults.  They differ significantly from each other and from adults both in physiologic and anatomic organ system as well as their psychological system.  They cannot always say what is bothering them. They cannot always answer medical questions, and are not always able to be cooperative during a medical examination. 
4. So, children have to deal in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative.

Sometimes these need to multi disciplinary team approach and I do this.