Birth defects and health issues for infants

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Birth Defects in Children
Introduction
Just like other parts of the United States, the well-being and health of infants are one of the priorities of Californians. Here, all parents want their children to grow well and to strengthen their mental, emotional and physical capabilities with time. Considering that infants from 0 to 2 years old need the most attention, care and love, both parents should bring their kids to doctors for regular medical checkups and need not depend on their nannies for their look after. Instead, they should spend more time with their infants, especially the mother should pay utmost attention to the physical and mental growth of the infant. At this age, the child undergoes different developmental stages. From feeding the baby well to reducing the risks of diseases and injuries, everything needs to pay utmost attention to. Unlike teenagers and adults, infants and children are vulnerable to environmental changes and toxicants. According to Rocky S. Tuan, their protection can be ensured if parents reduce the exposure of their infants to the unhygienic environment, the one where viruses, bacteria, and fungi are present in excess. The report presented by Rocky in his article titled Birth Defects: Etiology, Screening, and Detection also highlights that both qualitative and quantitative measures should be taken to access infant’s health status at varying levels of their development (Tuan 723). If parents are illiterate or unable to conduct any of such assessments, then they must bring their infants and doctors to hospitals or private clinics for the routine checkup. At home, they can provide the little one with non-toxic air to breathe in, a neat and clean bedroom, and of course, nutrients in the form of liquids and soft food items. The inadequate protection of infants against toxins can lead to various defects or health problems.
Birth Defects in Infants
A large number of babies born in California and other parts of the United States are healthy. A study conducted by Breanna L. Alman and team indicates that if your infant is one of those 4 in 100 babies born with a chronic or minor disease, then you should get the little one checked and treated as early as possible. Some of the defects are treatable with surgery and pharmaceutical drugs, while the others may take a serious form with time (Alman et al. 193).
1. Clubfoot
According to George P. Daston and team, clubfoot occurs in 1 in 200 infants and children in California and other parts of the country. It primarily affects boys and consists of varying ankle and foot deformities. It is widely believed that the illness is caused by abnormal fetal development and different environmental and heredity factors, but the exact reason for clubfoot is unknown. Researchers are busy with finding out why the disease is caused and what kinds of genes and hormones are involved (Daston, et al. 7). Clubfoot is not painful but may bother the infant when he starts standing or talking, and it is when the disease can be diagnosed through a number of screening tests. For a mild case, the treatment will begin right after the diagnosis. The doctor may require the infant to get admitted to the hospital as soon as possible. D...