Birth defects & other health conditions

If your baby is born with a birth defect or other health condition, he may need special care at birth and later in life. You may be worried and have lots of questions. It’s OK to feel this way.

Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth. They change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. Birth defects can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops or how the body works.

Learn about birth defects and other health conditions, what they are and how they happen. Common birth defects include heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate and spina bifida. Find out how to prevent certain birth defects and other health conditions. And learn what treatments your baby may need if he has one of these conditions.