What sort of tests should be done on my child for birth defects condition?

The specific tests that your physician may perform will depend on what part of the body is affected. Typical tests include ultrasounds of the head and abdomen, X rays, CT or MRI scans, and echocardiograms (ultrasounds of the heart). These tests are done to determine how serious the problem is and whether there are other problems. Your child may get some or all of these tests.

Genetic testing is done to try to determine the cause of the birth defect. These may include an analysis of the baby’s chromosomes, tests for specific mutations, or tests of the baby’s metabolism.