What causes baby deformity?

There are many reasons that lead to baby deformities, including genetic reasons and some bad living habits of the mother during pregnancy, such as radiation, diet, etc. In addition, if there is a viral infection during pregnancy, it may also cause the child to have deformities. Some other chemical drugs, such as phenytoin sodium, often affect the child's development and cause intellectual disabilities.

What causes baby deformity?

1. Genetic factors

Heredity is the main cause of congenital malformations, and its root cause lies in chromosomal abnormalities and gene inheritance.

2. Pregnancy environment

When evaluating the influence of teratogenic factors such as the pregnancy environment, it is necessary to conduct an analysis based on their duration, dosage, the mother's age at conception, genetic background, etc. Teratogenic factors mainly include the following:

(1) Radiation

a. Ionizing electromagnetic radiation: Among a series of radiation, ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as α, β, γ and X-rays are the most harmful to pregnant women because they have strong penetrating power. Radiation is present in every corner of social life. Due to the needs of living or working environment, some people are exposed to radiation for a longer time, but the teratogenic effect needs to be comprehensively analyzed in conjunction with other factors.

3. Viral infection

Common viruses include rubella, cytomegalovirus, chickenpox and herpes simplex. With the current level of science, there is still a lack of evidence to prove the teratogenicity of other viruses. IgM antibody testing and pathogen testing can be used to diagnose whether the cause of the disease is a viral infection.

4. Chemical drugs

(1) Phenytoin sodium: affects development or causes intellectual disability. The chance of teratogenicity from use during pregnancy is 10%-33%.

(2) Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (antiepilepsy drug): Besides affecting growth and intelligence, it can also cause facial developmental abnormalities, cleft lip and palate, congenital heart disease and gender malformation.

(3) Benzylcoumarin: It affects the development of fetal cartilage and nervous system, leading to low birth weight and mental retardation in newborns. Taking this drug in early pregnancy can cause fetal malformations in about 33%.

(4) Aminopterin (antifolate): It is an abortion drug. Even if the fetus survives, it is likely to be deformed.

(5) Antibiotic drugs: Tetracycline can cause tooth discoloration, and streptomycin can easily damage the hearing of the fetus.

(6) Hormones: Nortestosterone has a contraceptive effect and is a type of male hormone. It is harmful only to female fetuses and can masculinize them. Chlorphenamine is an estrogen drug that can cause deformities in the spine, heart, and body. Corticosteroids can cause congenital heart disease and limb defects. Insulin has effects similar to those of corticosteroids and can also cause neural tube defects.