BIRTH DEFORMITIES
New born children have some deformities by birth. Some of them are - Clubfoot (the most common orthopaedic birth defect) Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Dislocated hip. Metatarsus adductus (curved foot or intoeing involving the feet) Spine deformities including scoliosis (side curvature or twisting) and kyphosis (bowing)
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What causes birth deformities ?
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Orthopaedic birth defects happen when bone and muscle tissue develops abnormally in babies during fetal development. According to the March of Dimes, the causes for about 60% of birth defects are unknown. Some common risk factors may include:
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Abnormal genes inherited from a parent
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Missing or abnormal genes caused by a chromosome disorder
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Toxins including alcohol, cigarette smoke, illicit drugs, certain medications, radiation and certain chemicals
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Severe maternal infections during pregnancy, including rubella (German measles), chicken pox, and cytomegalovirus (CMV)
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Preexisting maternal conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease and high blood pressure
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Types of birth deformities
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Many types of birth defects result from development problems in babies. They vary from mild to life-threatening, and the most common types include:
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Clubfoot (the most common orthopaedic birth defect)
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Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH): Dislocated hip
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Metatarsus adductus (curved foot or intoeing involving the feet)
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Spine deformities including scoliosis (side curvature or twisting) and kyphosis (bowing)
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Osteogenesis imperfecta: Brittle-bone disease
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Muscular dystrophy: Diseases affecting the skeletal muscles
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Limb defects: Arms or legs that don’t develop normally or are missing
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Symptoms of birth deformities
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Often, babies and children with orthopaedic birth defects may not show symptoms. Signs and symptoms to look for include:
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Visible problems with a baby’s legs, feet, arms or hands
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Spine twisting, curvature or bowing
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Bones that break easily
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Reduced movement in infants or difficulty walking in children
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Treatment of birth deformities
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Our health care team will carefully examine your child to decide on the right treatment for the condition:
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Braces, splints or casts to properly align bones and joints
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Physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion
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Occupational therapy to help build skills such as eating, getting dressed and walking
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Surgery to adjust bones, muscles and tendons in severe conditions