Download Problems in Prenatal Development

P ROBLEMS IN P RENATAL
D EVELOPMENT
L OSING
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A
B ABY
Sometimes a baby does not develop normally. In some
of those cases, the developing baby dies.
Miscarriage- death that occurs before 20 weeks of
pregnancy.
Stillbirth- death that occurs after 20 weeks of
pregnancy.
The loss of a baby brings shock and pain to the family.
Families go through the same stages of grief as they
would if any family member died.
T YPES
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OF
B IRTH D EFECTS
Birth Defects- serious problems that threaten a babies
health or ability to live.
There are 100’s of different birth defects. Their effects
have a wide range. Some can be corrected immediately
while others cannot.
Approximately 3 out of every 100 children born in the
U.S have a birth defect.
Some birth defects affect the shape or size of the body.
Others affect the function of the body’s systems.
Not all birth defects can be detected right away.
C AUSES OF B IRTH D EFECTS
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Scientist are constantly researching to find out what
causes birth defects.
The cause of about 60% of birth defects is unknown.
Through their research they have found that there are 4
main causes for birth defects:
Environmental Causes
 Heredity Causes
 Errors in Chromosomes
 Interaction between Environment & Heredity
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E NVIRONMENTAL C AUSES
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During the first few weeks of pregnancy, a baby
develops all the bodily systems needed for survival and
normal life.
Many choices the mother makes can greatly affect the
development of her baby:
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The nutritional balance of her diet
Diseases or infections mother is introduced to
Harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
Some medications that benefit mom, but not baby
Exposure to hazards such as radiation etc.
H EREDITY C AUSES
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1,000’s of genes make up our genetic blueprint.
For each person, 5 or 6 of the recessive genes are
imperfect. A single copy of these genes will have no
effect on development.
Sometimes, two defective recessive genes are pass on,
or a defective dominate gene is passed on- causing a
birth defect.
Some birth defects affect only one sex.
E RROR
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IN
C HROMOSOMES
A few birth defects are linked to a problem with the
baby’s chromosomes.
There may be too many or too few chromosomes.
These types of defects are not inherited.
Down Syndrome is the most common type of birth
defect caused by errors in chromosomes.
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1 out of every 800 children are born with Down Syndrome.
The risk is increased significantly if the mother is over 35.
A child with Down Syndrome has an extra chromosome
21.
I NTERACTION OF H EREDITY &
E NVIRONMENT
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Some birth defects result from heredity & environment
working together.
For example, a baby may inherit a tendency for a heart defect.
This defect appears only if some factor- such as a drug or a
virus- affect the baby during his or her development.
 If the environmental factor was avoided, then the heart
defect would not have appeared.
Researchers believe that interaction of heredity &
environment is probably the cause for cleft palate, and spina
bifida.
Taking extra folic acid during pregnancy can prevent spina
bifida.
P REVENTION
OF
B IRTH D EFECTS
It can be difficult for a child born with a birth defect to live a
normal life.
 The rest of the family is affected by the emotional and
financial strain the defect causes.
 Responsible parents do everything they can to minimize the
possibility of birth defects.
 Causes such as infections, drugs, alcohol can be controlled.
 Parents need to make healthy choices.
 Early detection is very important.
 Some birth defects can be diagnosed and treated before
birth.
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G ENETIC C OUNSELING
This involves researching the families complete medical
history.
 Through research and laboratory testing the counselor
can usually tell the couple what genetic problems are
present and their risk of passing those problems onto
their child- possibly causing a birth defect.
 Most people who seek this type of counseling do so
because they are aware of a problem that has been
passed down through the family.
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P RENATAL T ESTS
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100’s of birth defects can now be detected before the
baby is born.
These tests can alert the doctor to a condition that
may be treated before or immediately after birth.
Blood tests may provide this information.
Other tests such as Ultrasound, Amniocentesis,
Chorionic villi Sampling can be preformed.
 These tests carry a higher risk of danger for baby.
U LTRASOUND
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Ultrasound uses sound waves to make a video image
of the unborn baby.
This allows the doctor to check for specific health
problems. The doctor can:
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Tell if the fetus is developing on schedule.
Detect certain defects that involve the skeleton and other
organs.
Confirm the due date.
Tell if there is more than one fetus.
This test has become common, and poses no risk for
mother or baby.
A MNIOCENTESIS
Amniocentesis involves the process of withdrawing a
sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
 The doctor withdraws the fluid using a needle.
 An ultrasound image is used as a guide when
inserting the needle.
 This test is most often used to test for Down
Syndrome.
 This test increases the risk for miscarriage.
 This test is only preformed when there is strong
medical reason.
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C HORIONIC V ILLI S AMPLING
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Takes a sample of the tissue from the membrane that
encases the fetus.
Guided by an ultrasound image, the doctor inserts a
tube through the vagina into the uterus. Samples of
the uterine tissue are snipped or suctioned off.
This test can be administered earlier in the pregnancy
than amniocentesis.
However it carries a higher risk of miscarriage. It also
carries a risk of causing birth defects.
Test is administered only after careful consideration.