Problems in Prenatal Development

Human Development: Prenatal-ToddlerProblems in Prenatal Development

Losing a BabyMiscarriage: the developing baby dies, prior to the 20th week of pregnancy.Stillbirth: the developing baby dies, after the 20th week of pregnancy.The loss of a child by miscarriage or stillbirth can be very unexpected and painful for the parents.When a person loses their child they may experience a sense of grief.Types of Birth DefectsBirth Defects: serious problems that threaten their health or even their lives.Some are very mild; others can be serious and potentially deadly.Some birth defects can cause abnormalities in the structure of the body.Not all birth defects are apparent at birth.Causes of Birth Defects4 main causes for birth defects and research are continuing in each area.Abnormal genes or chromosomal errors can also cause birth defects, and some are caused by a combination of environmental and hereditary factors.

Environmental CausesThe nutritional balance of the mothers diet.Any diseases or infections that mother has during pregnancy.Harmful substances the mother consumes, including alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and illegal drugs.Some medicines that benefit the mothers, but may hurt the baby.Exposure to hazards, such as certain chemicals, high levels of radiation, and X rays, especially early in pregnancy.

Hereditary CausesEvery person has approximately 20,000 to 25,000 genes that not only determine traits such as eye color and height, but also direct the growth and development of every system in the body.Sometimes a child inherits a defective gene that is dominant.Dominant Inheritance: this gene to be passed on by one parent for the child to have the birth defect.

Errors in ChromosomesSeveral types of birth defects are caused by problems in the number of structure of chromosomes.An error may occur when an egg or sperm cell is developing, causing a baby to have too many or too few chromosomes.

Interaction of Heredity and Environment Some birth defects are caused by a combination of heredity and the environment.

Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth DefectsIt can be challenging for a child born with a serious birth defect to lead a normal, productive life.Other family members are affected by the emotional and financial strain the defect causes.The advances in treatment and support groups are helping children and their families cope.Precautions:Parents can schedule a checkup to evaluate their overall health.They can discuss lifestyle changes that may improve their chances for a successful pregnancy and healthy baby.Once pregnant, expectant mothers can visit their doctors for prenatal care.Her doctor can monitor her health and the babys growth and development.The mother can also continue to abstain from alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco.Genetic Counsiling Some people seek genetic counseling to assess their risk of having a child with a birth defect that is caused by a defect in the genes.Doctors look at family history, and also usually requests that a physical examination for both parents is completed.Once all of the testing is complete, the genetic counselor can usually tell the couple what their risks are for having a child with certain genetic birth defects.It is then the couples decision whether or not to have children.

Prenatal TestsMore than 100 kinds of birth defects can now be detected before a baby is born. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): blood test that is performed on the expectant mother between weeks 15 and 20 of a pregnancy.AFP is a protein produced in the liver of the fetus that is detectable in the mothers blood.Ultrasound: can help the doctor monitor the development of the baby, pinpoint the babys age, and detect certain birth defects.Sonogram: uses sound waves to make a video image.Amniocentesis: the process of withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn baby.Chorionic villi sampling: uses a sample of the tissue from the membrane that encases the fetus to check for specific birth defects.