Section 1- Birth DefectsCan 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 two-

week 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.

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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?