Heart Defects
What Are Heart Defects? The heart is a pump made of muscle that is divided into four chambers. Blood is pumped into these chambers through four valves that open and…
Hearing Loss
What Is Hearing Loss? Right from birth, babies explore their new world through sound . . . their mother’s voice, household sounds, noises outside. The stimulation babies receive from the…
Growth Disorders
What Are Growth Disorders? Growth disorders are problems in infants, children, and teenagers that prevent them from attaining realistically expected growth. These disorders include failure to gain height and/or weight in…
Goldenhar Syndrome
What Is Goldenhar Syndrome? Goldenhar Syndrome is a rare birth defect characterized by abnormal prenatal development of the head and face. Common features include missing ears and malformations of the…
Gastroschisis
What is Gastroschisis? Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect where all or parts of the small intestine and other internal organs are on the outside of the abdomen. The umbilical cord is…
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)? Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a group of physical, mental, and neurobehavioral birth defects that result from the mother drinking alcohol during her pregnancy. Children…
Encephalocele
What is Encephalocele? Encephalocele is a birth defect that results in a hole in the skull through which brain tissue protrudes. In the Western Hemisphere, the most common encephaloceles, called…
Ear Malformations (Microtia and Atresia)
What is Microtia-Atresia? Microtia means that the external part of the ear is small, absent (anotia) or abnormally shaped. 90% of children with microtia have only one ear (unilateral) affected…
Down Syndrome
What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal abnormality due to excess genetic material found in the genes along the 21st chromosome. Since 95% of all DS cases…
DiGeorge Syndrome
What is DiGeorge Syndrome? DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS), also referred to as Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS), is an immunodeficiency disorder characterized by various congenital abnormalities. Proper functioning of the immune system relies…
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