Where the causes are known, birth defects can be classified into three broad categories, viz. Genetic, environmental, and multi-factorial.
Xa zisaziwa izinto ezingunobangela weengxaki abazalwa nazo abantwana zihlelwa ngokwamacandelo amathathu anabileyo, ezofuzo, ezibangelwa kokusingqongileyo kunye nezibangelwa zizinto eziliqela.