Question: What causes birth defects?
Answer: We do not know what causes most birth defects. Sometimes they just happen and are not caused by anything that the parents did or didn't do. Many parents feel guilty if they have a child with a birth defect even if they did everything they could to have a healthy child. If you have a child with a birth defect, it might be helpful to talk with other parents who have had a child with the same condition.
Sometimes the causes of birth defects are figured out after the baby is born. Whenever possible, it is important to know what you can do for a better chance of having a healthy child in the future. Some actions might increase the chances of having a baby with a birth defect. The questions and answers that follow talk about some of these known risks.
