Is there a connection between genetics and deformity?

Heredity refers to certain physical characteristics of parents being passed down to offspring through birth. Most inheritance is positive and is a replica of the parents' characteristics, but some negative characteristics can also be inherited in the genes, causing physical abnormalities in offspring. Among them, health abnormalities are the most harmful, and physical deformities are a high incidence of inheritance. Let's take a look at whether heredity and deformities are related.

The causes of birth defects are still not fully understood. The general causes can be divided into three aspects: genetic factors, the growth environment of the fetus during pregnancy, and trauma during childbirth.

1. Genetic malformation

This is a deformity caused by abnormal genetic factors. Genetic diseases include brachydactyly, color blindness, albinism, etc. But not all genetic diseases in parents will be passed on to the fetus. Generally speaking, when only one parent has a genetic disease, it will not necessarily be passed on to the child.

Generally speaking, marriages between close relatives result in more genetic factors and a greater chance of producing deformed children. Generally speaking, boys are more susceptible to color blindness, while girls are less susceptible.

Currently, less than 10% of deformed babies are caused by genetics. However, genetic factors plus unfavorable fetal growth environment increase the incidence of malformed babies.

2. Deformed babies caused by drug effects

The same medicine will have different effects on different people and will not necessarily cause deformed babies. However, pregnant women should be especially careful when taking medication.

Sleeping pills, tranquilizers, anesthetics, analgesics and other drugs have adverse effects on the fetal brain nerves. Pregnant women should not use them indiscriminately to ensure safety.

Antiemetics, motion sickness pills, etc. should also be taken under the guidance of a doctor.

As for progesterone, which can effectively prevent miscarriage, it can be used according to the doctor's instructions. If it is used in large quantities for a long time, it will affect the fetus, especially the vulva of the female baby will become masculinized (semi-hermaphroditic).

In addition, animal experiments have shown that small amounts of anticancer drugs, antihistamines, etc. can also lead to the birth of deformed babies. Therefore, it is also forbidden for pregnant women.

3. Deformities caused by rubella

If a pregnant woman contracts rubella (March measles) in the early stages of pregnancy, the baby she gives birth to may have microcephaly, cataracts, hearing loss (deafness), heart malformations, and other deformities. Sometimes it is not until several months after the birth that the fetus is discovered to be deformed. This is because the newborn is exposed to chronic viral infections in the mother's body.

Rubella is a terrible viral disease. Children are more likely to get the disease, but once they have been infected, they will have lifelong immunity. So people who have already had rubella don't have to worry. If you want to know whether you are immune, you can check the antibodies 2 to 3 months after pregnancy, using a blood test.

In addition, it is not yet clear whether viral infections such as colds, myelitis, and mumps can cause deformities.