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Section 1- Birth Defects Can It Happen to My Baby? Define Birth Defects • Working with your table group, develop a definition for the term birth defects. • Your definition should answer two questions– What is a birth defect? – How often do they occur? • Select a group leader to share your teams definition. How Common Are Birth Defects? • 33 of every 1,000 babies have a birth defect that is identified at birth. • Another 33 of every 1,000 children will have a birth defect diagnosed by age 5. • Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality. • Every couple faces a 4-6% chance of having a childe with a birth defect. • Certain ethnic groups are at a higher risk of having certain birth defects. What Causes Birth Defects? 1. GENETIC – Humans have approximately 35,000 genes. – When an individual gene is altered, it may not be able to function normally. – Birth defects can be hereditary. 2. CHROMOSOMAL: – Chromosome abnormalities can involve abnormal number or structure. – The normal human chromosome number is 46. – When a chromosome abnormality occurs, physical differences as well as learning problems result. What Causes Birth Defects? 3. TERATOGEN – Teratogens are agents that cause harm to the developing baby. – They include drugs, maternal infections and environmental factors. – In order to definitively diagnose teratogenic causes of birth defects, both genetic and chromosomal causes need to be ruled out. What Causes Birth Defects? 4. MULTIFACTORIAL – Genetic and environmental factors that, when combined, result in a birth defect. 5. OTHER – Some birth defects occur even when the underlying developmental process is proceeding normally. Developmental Periods of Pregnancy • PREIMPLANTATION PERIOD (Period of the Zygote) • – Ovulation and fertilization occurs during this twoweek period. – Developmental errors or harmful exposure during this period is likely to cause an early miscarriage. Developmental Periods of Pregnancy • EMBRYONIC PERIOD (Period of the embryo) • – This period extends from the third through the eighth weeks post-conception. – It correlates with the 1st trimester. – Most major birth defects occur during this time and are present by day 50 of the pregnancy. Developmental Periods of Pregnancy • FETAL PERIOD (Period of the fetus) • – This period correlates with the second and third trimesters. – Rapid body growth occurs during this time. – Developmental errors and teratogenic effects can still occur during this time. – The central nervous system is continuing to develop and remains vulnerable. Impact of Birth Defects • Medical– Many structural birth defects can be repaired. – However, some birth defects that are a simple to repair from a medical standpoint, may require multiple surgeries. For example- cleft palate. – Multiple visits and visits to specialists are typically required. – Frequent visits are typical during early childhood and taper off as the child ages and corrective work is done. Impact of Birth Defects • Emotional– When a baby is born with a birth defect it is usually a frightening, stressful, and sad time for the family. – Many families react with grief. There may also be feelings of guilt. – When families do not understand why the birth defect occurred they may try to invent their own explanations or play the “what if” game. – May cause delayed bonding with baby. Impact of Birth Defects • Family– A child with a birth defect demands a lot of resources and attention. – Dr. appointments, therapy visits, prosthetics all require time and money that can increase stress on families. – Not to be forgotten are the siblings, they may feel jealous of the attention and time being spent on the affected child. Impact of Birth Defects • Financial/ Economic – Not only is their an economic burden on the family, but also a burden on society. – Time must be missed from work, medical costs etc. – For example, in 1992 in Missouri a child born with spina bifida would have incurred a lifetime costs of $8,524,348. An Ounce of Prevention 2000, 2005 The Curators of the University of Missouri Discussion • You will develop and write your response to the following situation on a piece of notebook paper. • Tomorrow some of you will be selected to share your responses aloud- be prepared! Do you think that families who have hereditary birth defects/ genetic conditions should have children? Whose decision is it- the family’s, government, insurance company?