Birth Defects

Birth Defects Awareness Month

January is Birth Defects Awareness Month. Join the effort to raise awareness of birth defects.

Learn More

Preventing

There are steps you can take to be healthy before and during pregnancy.

Research

NBDPS and BD-STEPS are large studies of birth defect risk factors supported by CDC.

Screening

Screening tests can help identify if there may be a birth defect or other concern during pregnancy.

Learn more about birth defects

About

Birth defects are structural changes that are present at birth.

Specific Conditions

• Anencephaly

Anencephaly is a birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull.

• Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia

Anophthalmia and microphthalmia are birth defects of a baby's eye(s).

• Anotia/Microtia

Anotia and microtia are birth defects of a baby's ear.

• Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when a baby's lip or mouth don't form properly.

• Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in a baby's skull join together too early.

• Diaphragmatic Hernia

Diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect where there is a hole in the diaphragm.

• Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome 21.

• Encephalocele

Encephalocele is a sac-like protrusion of the brain through an opening in the skull.

• Esophageal Atresia

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect of the tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach.

• Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a birth defect where there is a hole in the abdominal wall beside the belly button.

• Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a birth defect where the opening of the urethra isn't at the tip of the penis.

• Limb Reduction Defects

Limb reduction defects occur when a part of or the entire arm or leg fails to form completely.

• Microcephaly

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby's head is smaller than expected.

• Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are severe birth defects of the brain and spine.

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