Every new parent's wish is that their baby will be born healthy. In fact, having a healthy baby is such a concern for parents that the excitement of every scan appointment is usually accompanied by a subtle feeling of dread - What if there’s something wrong with my baby?

In part one, we explored a few congenital problems babies have a small chance of developing. In part 2, we will examine a few more congenital problems and the treatments offered.

Congenital heart disease

This describes any abnormality involving the structure of the heart chambers and connections between them, which affects the function of the heart. Some heart problems can be detected in pregnancy; the doctor or midwife will advise where your baby should be delivered and what to do after the birth.

Septal defects - these are holes in the heart and consist of a small hole between two heart chambers. Some cause a murmur that can be picked up during pregnancy. In many babies, the hole closes up on its own.
Blue baby - if a baby is born blue, it means they have a major problem involving an abnormality in heart connections and will need to be transferred immediately for heart surgery.
Patent ductus arteriosus - if the duct between the lungs and heart doesn’t close up, oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix together. Medication is needed, and sometimes surgery.

Undescended testicles

This is when just one testicle is undescended and happens to approximately 1 in 125 boys. Usually, the testicle descends within a year, but if not, surgery is advised, as undescended testicles can cause infertility and increase the risk of testicular cancer.

Syndactyly

This is a condition where a baby is born with two digits - fingers or toes - joined together. It is usually caused by soft tissues funding together and can sometimes be linked to other congenital abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome. A surgical skin graft is usually performed to treat syndactyly.

Birthmarks

A baby may be born with a mark that is long-lasting, however, it is likely to fade over time.

Stork marks - these a pink patches that can appear on caucasian babies and often fade by two to five years.
Mongolian blue spots - babies, particularly of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin, have grey markings on the lower back, buttocks and on other areas of the body that often get mistaken for bruises so it’s best to get these checked out by a health advisor and record them in your baby book. They tend to fade over a number of years.
Port wine stains - these are permanent marks caused by abnormal blood vessels in the skin and can appear anywhere on a baby’s body. If one appears on the face, you may be referred to a specialist for laser treatment.

Strawberry naevus - this is an overgrowth of blood vessels and looks like a strawberry, but it fades over time and usually requires no treatment. It appears days after birth and grows over the next few months. If it’s in a critical area restricting the nose, mouth or vision, your baby may be referred to a specialist.

What are some common congenital problems in babies? (Part 2)

These common issues can often be managed or treated.