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Problems in Prenatal Development
Sometimes a pregnancy begins, but a baby doesn’t develop normally If the baby dies before the 20th week it
is called a miscarriage If the baby dies after that time, it is
called a stillbirth. 15-20% of recognized pregnancies
end in miscarriage 2% ends in stillbirth Due to bonds that are formed way
before the child is born, parents (especially the woman) may go through grieving.
Birth Defects
Some babies survive the pregnancy but are born with serious problems called birth defects.
Some birth defects include: Cerebral Palsy Cleft Lift and/or palate Down Syndrome Muscular Dystrophy Sickle Cell Anemia Spina Bifida and more!
Causes of Birth Defects Some causes are environmental because it
is during the first few weeks that a baby develops all the bodily systems needed for survival The mother’s diet Any diseases or infections the mother has Harmful substances Some medicines Exposure to hazards (such as chemicals, X-
rays, etc.) Some causes are hereditary
Sometimes a child inherits a defective gene that is dominant such as Huntington's
Some conditions affect only one sex and usually it’s the males
Hemophilia Color blindness and more
More Causes of Birth defects
Errors in chromosomes Such as when a baby has too
many or too few chromosomes or has broken or rearranged chromosomes
This usually leads to Down Syndrome
Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth Defects
All types of birth defects cannot be anticipated or controlled, but there are several things that couples can do to minimize the chances. Genetic counseling for those who have a
history of birth defects in their family Prenatal tests that can also determine whether
or not a baby will be born with a birth defect AFP tests the protein levels in the liver and an
abnormal level could me a birth defect Ultrasound can help determine problems with
the baby’s skeletal, circulatory, or nervous systems.
Amniocentesis is when fluids are withdrawn fro the amniotic fluid and taken to a lab to be tested for birth defects
The Dilemma
What is your opinion on knowing if a child has a birth defect before they are born?
What would you do? What do you think about parents who
want this information only to determine whether to abort the baby or not?
Write a half page or more explaining your position on this topic! You have 3 minutes to copy down these
questions They should all be discussed in your paper
Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
Always avoid alcohol which leads to Fetal alcohol syndrome
1 in 5 babies born with this does not live to see his or her 1st birthday
Other Drugs Medicines that are over the counter and
prescribe by the doctor Caffeine Nicotine All illegal drugs inhalants
Causes of Drugs Not avoiding the drugs can lead
to: Low birth weight SIDS (Sudden infant death
syndrome) Risks of seizures Tremors and developmental delay Congenital heart disease
Hazardous Substances and Chemicals
A pregnant woman should also avoid: Paint-low odor and/or latex Pesticides Lead Carbon monoxide Mercury (found in fish)
Infections
Occasionally a woman might get and infection during pregnancy and should seek immediate doctor’s attention.
Some of the infections include: Rubella Toxoplasmosis Chicken pox
Other diseases that may cause birth defects includes STD’s and AIDS
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