Tomorrow we celebrate the Day of rare diseases and we will talk about them, but today we wanted to advance some data on some of those diseases considered rare and that are included in the group of congenital defects. Congenital anomalies form a heterogeneous group of pathologies of prenatal origin, most of them being low frequency.
Congenital anomalies can be structural or functional. The first involve morphological alterations, affecting some tissue, organ or set of organs of the body. Some examples are hydrocephalus, spina bifida, cleft lip and / or palate, congenital heart disease ...
On the other hand, functional congenital anomalies they are those that interrupt biological processes worse that do not imply a change of form; they involve metabolic, hematological, immune system alterations ... Some examples are: congenital hypothyroidism, intellectual disability, decreased muscle tone, blindness, deafness ...
Congenital malformations can also be classified according to the organs or systems they affect, so we talk about congenital malformations of the nervous system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the face and neck, the genital organs, of the urinary system, of the muscular system ...
The origin of many of these anomalies is unknown., and there is also talk of a broad and complex set of different causes. But it is known that the effects produced by the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, certain medications, radiation, infections such as rubella and cytomegalovirus or maternal diseases such as epilepsy and diabetes increase the risk of congenital anomalies.
Prevent congenital anomalies
In relation to the point just mentioned, there are general measures that contribute to the proper development of the fetus. These are the healthy lifestyle of women before and during the pregnancy, with a balanced diet and moderate physical exercise, no alcohol and other drugs, no smoking and no smoking at their side.
The rational use of the drug, both in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy, contributes to the prevention of congenital anomalies, the medication required by the doctor must be prescribed and not self-medicate under any circumstances.
Folic acid supplementation is very important, during the preconception period and throughout the first months of pregnancy. Folic acid decreases not only congenital neural tube abnormalities, but also other congenital anomalies such as cardiac.
A iodine deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood can cause hypothyroxinemia that negatively affects the developing brain. The recommendation of supplements is suggested in those pregnant women, who do not reach the recommended amounts of iodine with their diet.
Avoid exposure to ionizing radiation during pregnancy, which may pose a risk to the fetus (depending on the dose and the time of pregnancy when the exposure occurs).
Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme compliance with labor prevention standards.
In pregnancies from 35-40 years there is an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, therefore planning pregnancy at earlier ages contributes to the prevention of these anomalies.
Women with a chronic illness should also plan pregnancy and in these cases the preconception visit to the gynecologist is especially important.
Couples with a history of congenital anomalies should have genetic counseling.
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More information | GVA, Natalben
In Babies and more | What are congenital anomalies and how to prevent them?
