10 Surprising Facts About Deformities
We’ve compiled a list of 10 surprising facts about deformities.
Deformities are often caused by birth defects, injuries, or diseases that affect the body in unusual ways. Some people choose to undergo surgery to correct these problems.
The most common birth defect is cleft lip or palate
Cleft lip and palate occur when there is an incomplete separation of the upper lip and lower jaw during fetal development. This results in a gap between the two sides of the face. It is one of the most common congenital malformations affecting newborn babies.
Congenital heart disease affects more than 1 million babies born each year.
In addition to cleft lip and palate, other birth defects include clubfoot, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, hydronephrosis, and diaphragmatic hernia. These conditions affect approximately 2% of live births.
Down syndrome occurs in approximately one out of every 700 live births.
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two. This condition affects nearly 1 in 800 babies born each year. People with Down syndrome often have mild to moderate intellectual disability, along with characteristic facial features, such as flat nasal bridge, full cheeks, wide mouth, large ears, and protruding tongue. They also tend to have low muscle tone, joint stiffness, and difficulty walking.
Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect.
Spina bifid cystica occulta (SBO) is a congenital malformation of the spinal cord. It is caused by incomplete closure of the neural tube during fetal development. SBO is one of the most common birth defects, affecting approximately 1 in every 2,000 births. In addition to the spinal cord, SBO can affect other parts of the body, including the brain, eyes, kidneys, bladder, and intestines.
Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-threatening genetic disorder.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition that affects the lungs and digestive system. CF occurs when there is a problem with the production of mucus in the lungs. This leads to thick, sticky mucus that clogs up the airways and prevents normal breathing. People with CF also tend to produce abnormally thick saliva and sweat. These fluids collect in the pancreas, liver, and intestine, causing them to become enlarged.