Fetal malformations occur rarely and over 50% are identified through ultrasound. Check out the following articles about fetal malformations and see what's going on.

Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defect is the term used to describe problems with the development of the neural tube in the first few weeks of fetal development. Conditions range from mild (spina bifida occulta) to severe (anencephaly) and may cause death in-utero or after birth. ... read more »

Heterochromia and Pregnancy

Heterochromia is a genetic or acquired eye condition that affects the iris. There are three forms of the condition: complete, sectoral and central. ... read more »

How to Help Prevent Birth Defects

Most birth defects happen during the first 8-12 weeks of the pregnancy, and about 1 in 30 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect. ... read more »

Down Syndrome Ultrasound Markers

Over the last decade, new technology has improved the methods of detection of fetal abnormalities, including Down syndrome. ... read more »

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a duplication chromosome. Patients with Down syndrome have two copies of chromosome 21 so they are born with 47 chromosomes as opposed to the normal 46. ... read more »

Ambras Syndrome

Ambras syndrome, also known as hypertrichosis, is associated withexcessive hair growth. There are two types of Ambras syndrome 'congenital and acquired. ... read more »

Congenital Heart Disease: Fast Facts

When it comes to better understanding a medical condition like congenital heart disease, often the basic fast facts are enough to give you the information you're looking for. Here are the basic fast facts of congenital heart disease. ... read more »

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. ... read more »

Anencephaly

Anencephaly is a neural tube defect that present with a lack of forebrain. This condition is a cephalic disorder. ... read more »

Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate

The term cleft lip or cleft palate refers to a birth defect that affects the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, known as the palate. In mild cases, the birth defect does not affect eating and can easily be repaired with simple cosmetic surgery. ... read more »

Congenital Heart Disease: Causes and Symptoms

Most obstetricians and heart specialists don't have an explanation exactly why  congenital heart disease occurs, though there are some common causes or risk factors that may contribute to the likelihood of CHD. ... read more »

Congenital Heart Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment

If your infant or child is experiencing increased fatigue, blue tinting of the skin or other conditions indicative of decreased or altered blood flow, the pediatrician may suggest testing for a congenital heart defect. ... read more »

Club Foot

Club foot is a physical deformity that develops in-utero. About one in 1,000 births are affected by the birth defect. Male children are slightly more prone to the condition than female children. ... read more »

Aglossia

The ACOG reports that there are more than 4,000 known birth defects, ranging from mild to severe. Aglossia is one of these known birth defects and occurs when an infant is born without a tongue or an undeveloped tongue. ... read more »

PKU – Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria or PKU is a genetic condition preventing the body from breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine and two similar substances commonly found in protein. PKU causes a build-up of the amino acid, which can lead to developmental delay. ... read more »

Congenital Heart Disease: What Is It?

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is another name for a congenital heart defect. The word congenital refers to the fact that the patient is born with the condition. ... read more »

Hydrocephaly

Hydrocephaly is a condition that can present at birth or develop at any time in life when associated with injury or illness. ... read more »

The Bachelor’s Sarah Herron Born With One Arm

Sarah Herron, a contestant on the hit television show The Bachelor, was born with only one arm. A condition known as amniotic band syndrome is to blame for this. ... read more »

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect. The neural tube develops in the first weeks of pregnancy and closes by the end of the first month. Spina bifida develops when the neural tube does not close properly. ... read more »

Coarctation of the Aorta

A coarctation of the aorta is diagnosed when a portion of the aorta is narrowed making it difficult for blood to pass through the major artery. The aorta is responsible for moving blood out of the heart to the blood vessels. ... read more »

Living with Congenital Heart Disease

Some congenital heart disease conditions are mild enough to be left untreated without reducing lifespan or quality of life, though there are lifestyle changes and health care that must be taken into consideration. If the condition worsens, at any time, further medical treatment may be needed. ... read more »

What Is a Vestigial Tail?

All humans have a tail during embryological development, and usually, the tail disappears in the first trimester. If not, the baby is born with a vestigial tail. ... read more »