Download Avoiding Dangers to the Baby

Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
The Developing Child
Chapter 5 Section 4
Alcohol
• A woman who drinks during pregnancy risks
having a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
• FAS- includes physical and mental problems
that result from drinking alcohol.
• 1 in 5 babies born with FAS, die soon after birth.
• Some suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effects- this
condition is less severe than FAS.
• The degree of damage to the child is usually
directed to the amount of alcohol consumed, and
the stage of pregnancy when it was consumed.
Alcohol
• Those who live, have several problems:
– Mental retardation
– Slow growth
– Poor coordination
– Heart defects
– Facial disfigurement
– Learning problems
– Hyperactivity
– Trouble controlling behavior
• There is no cure for FAS.
VIDEO:
IN YOUR NOTES, SUMMARIZE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A
MOTHER CONSUMES ALCOHOL WHILE PREGNANT.
Baby's Can't Say No Substance Abuse During Pregnancy.asf
Other Drugs
• Many doctors believe that drugs are one of the
main causes of birth defects. Alcohol is one of
the drugs, others include:
– Medicines, including prescription & over the
counter.
– Caffeine, found in food and beverages.
– Nicotine, found in tobacco.
– Illegal drugs, such as heroine, LSD, marijuana, &
cocaine.
– Inhalants: fumes inhaled through the lungs.
Prescription & Over the Counter Drugs
• All medications, including aspirin, cold
medications, & allergy pills can cause harm.
• Example, Thalidomide, used in the 1950’s to
relieve morning sickness caused more than
5,000 babies to be born with sever birth
defects (missing legs and arms).
• Medicines or infections have the most
devastating effects during the first 3 months of
pregnancy.
– This is when the brain is developing, can cause
mental retardation.
Caffeine
• Found in coffee, tea, soft drinks.
• Large doses can cause birth defects.
• No amount is known to be safe.
Tobacco
• The more the mother smokes, the smaller the
baby is likely to be.
• Newborn weight is crucial for survival. Lowbirth weight decreases survival.
• Smoking is proven to cause premature birthincreasing the risk for respiratory infections.
• Second-hand smoke can be dangerous as
well.
• Shrunken-blackened umbilical cord is often
seen in mothers who smoke.
Illegal Drugs
• A mother who is addicted to a drug when pregnant
usually passes on that addiction to the baby.
• At birth, infants go through withdrawal.
– Painful condition resulting from the body no longer
receiving the drug.
– Many times, withdrawal is so severe it causes death.
– Those who survive, have an uncertain future.
• Are known to cause miscarriages, stillbirth,
premature birth, and birth defects.
•
X-RAYS
• Radiation from X-rays, or from other sources can
cause birth defects.
• If an X-ray is necessary while pregnant due to an
accident, illness, or dental work- inform the
medical staff that you are pregnant.
• Abdominal shields should be worn to reduce the
amount of radiation that the fetus is exposed to.
• Dental X-rays are considered to be safe because
they are focused far from the uterus- however
some dentists will wait until after birth to perform
X-rays.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES/
CHEMICALS
• Substances that should be avoided
include:
– Paint
– Pesticides
– Lead
– Carbon Monoxide
– Mercury
– Solvents: Paint Thinners, Formaldehyde
DISEASES & INFECTIONS
RUBELLA (German Measles)
• Can cause severe birth defects especially during
the first 3 months of pregnancy.
• Birth Defects Include: Blindness, Deafness,
Heart Disease, and Mental Retardation
• A vaccination is available, but can be dangerous
if taken while pregnant or soon before becoming
pregnant.
• Important to check to see if you have been
immunized for Rubella before becoming
pregnant.
TOXOPLASMOSIS
• A infection caused by a parasite.
• 60 million Americans carry the parasite- most
have immune systems that are strong enough to
prevent feeling the ill effects.
• However developing babies are still at risk.
• Birth Defects Include: Blindness, Hearing Loss,
and Learning Disabilities.
• Some cases are so severe that baby dies soon
after birth.
TOXOPLASMOSIS cont’d
• Can cause miscarriages or stillbirth.
• Precautions:
– Never cleaning kitty litter boxes.
– Do not eat undercooked meat.
– Wash hands immediately after handling
raw meat.
CHICKEN POX
• Some women who have not already had
chicken pox may get it while pregnant.
Depending on when the infection occurs
during pregnancy- serious affects on the fetus
can occur.
• Occurring during First ½ of pregnancy- baby
risks getting Congenital Varicella Syndrome.
– Causes scarring of the skin, limb defects, eye
problems, and other serious physical
abnormalities.
CHICKEN POX cont’d
• Few cases result in miscarriage.
• Women who have not had Chicken Pox should
get vaccinated before becoming pregnant, and
avoid contact with people who have chicken pox.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
• As with many other infections, STD’s can
cause great harm to an unborn child.
• STD’s may be passed on from mother to
unborn child.
• People may contract an STD without knowing
it, therefore, most doctors routinely test
pregnant women. Many states require these
tests.
• Medical treatment can cure certain STD’s in
adults, however, no drug can cure the
damage to a newborn.
STD’s: Syphillis
• Effects on baby can usually be treated if found
before the 16th week of pregnancy.
• Left untreated Syphilis can cause:
– Skin rash or lesions
– Bone or facial deformities
– Deafness
– Brain damage
• Many babies infected will develop anemia,
jaundice, or pneumonia during their first few
months.
• Can results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or death
soon after birth.
STD’s: AIDS
• If mother has AIDS there is a 35-65% risk that
the virus will be passed on to baby.
• AIDS attacks the brain and infected babies often
have seizures and retarded mental
development.
• Most states require an AIDS test early on during
pregnancy.
• Mother may take medication to reduce the risk of
baby contracting the disease.
• Baby’s born to mothers with AIDS or other
STD’s are usually delivered cesarean section to
avoid exposure to the disease that may exist in
STD’s: Genital Herpes
• Managing genital herpes during pregnancy
is important for the health of the fetus.
• Can cause baby to be born with a brain
infection, mild retardation, and death in
some cases.
• In most cases, the infection is transferred
to the newborn during the birth process- a
cesarean section is usually scheduled to
avoid vaginal delivery.