Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth Defects
Chapter 3 Section 3
Past vs. Present • In the past- little could be
done • Now- National Foundation/
March of Dimes – Fund ongoing research
• Several causes can now be controlled– Drugs, infections
• Tests can diagnose prenatally – Early detection- early
treatment
Genetic Counseling
• Hereditary or ___________________can be predicted
• Tells _______________• ___________________:
understand genetic disorders, help prepare for emotional and financial issues
Genetic Counseling Process
• Obtains family medical history– Inherited disorders, birth
defects, causes of death• Physical examinations• Questionnaires & tests• Result: _____________
______________________________________
Prenatal Tests
• Several methods are used to determine if specific birth defects are present
• Useful _________________for early _______________
Examples1. ___________: a technique
of using _____ _________ to make a video image of an unborn baby to check for specific health problems– Shows if fetus is developing
on schedule– Defects of skeleton or organs
are able to be detected – Verify _____________ – Not always ___________
Examples2. ______________: process of
withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn baby with a special needle and testing that fluid for indications of specific birth defects or other health problems– Doctor uses ultrasound to guide the
needle – Most commonly used to test for
______________– Risky- only used if _______
_______________________– Always the woman’s choice
Examples3. ____________________:
process of testing for specific birth defects by sampling small amounts of the tissue from the membrane (________) that encases the fetus– Inserts a catheter through the
vagina into the uterus– Samples of the villi-fingers of
tissue • Protrude from chorion
– Can be done earlier in pregnancy
– Higher risk for ___________
Early diagnosis
• >100 birth defects can be diagnosed prenatally– Some can be treated
before birth– Surgery, therapies can be
done prenatally• More diagnostic tools
are being researched
Avoiding Environmental Hazards
Ch 3 Section 4
Overview
• Mother-to-be is responsible for taking every step to increase the chances of having a healthy baby
• Important– understanding the harmful effects of environmental hazards such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, X rays, and infections
Alcohol
• Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy– often have children born
with a variety of birth defects
– Some can be fatal
F.A.S.
• ___________________: physical deformities and cognitive problems resulting from a mother’s consumption of alcohol during pregnancy
F.A.S Effects– Most all ___________
_______________– Alcohol interferes with
tissue growth and development• _______________is most
easily injured– Slow growth, poor
coordination, behavior problems, heart defects, and ______________ ___________________
Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)• Woman who drinks less alcohol
– Less several condition involving some, but not all, the symptoms of FAS
• There is ______________ _____________ that a woman can drink without taking the chance of causing harm to the fetus
• Degree of damage is related to ___________
• No _________
Other Drugs• Many doctors believe taking
drugs is a major cause of birth defects
• Drugs to be aware of:– Alcohol– Prescription meds– OTC like aspirin, cold meds,
nasal spray– Caffeine & nicotine– Illegal drugs- marijuana, LSD,
crack, heroin– Inhalants
Medications
• No completely safe drug• Even ____________
meds can be dangerous• Late 1950s:
____________ used to help morning sickness – Caused severe birth
defects in >5,000 infants• Over ________ items
carry warning labels
Prenatal Development• Medicines during
______________ are most damaging– Reduces nutrient-rich blood
flow to fetus– Organs, major systems, limbs
are developing– Brain development & mental
retardation • _____________ slowed
growth, infections, bleeding• Before birth- drugs could still
be baby’s system
Medically Necessary
• Managing serious conditions– Diabetes, high blood
pressure– Under Dr.’s direction– Advised to give up meds
for _________________
Caffeine
• Found in may drinks and medications– Coffee, tea, hot
chocolate, soda• Large amounts can
result in _____________
Tobacco
• _________ linked to low birth weight
• _______= critical factor for baby’s __________
• Premature birth
Illegal Drugs• Passes addiction on to baby at
birth• Infants go through
________________– Painful illness resulting on drug
dependence – Can result in death
• Possibly affect on learning ability and behavior
• Research shows children seem _______________ __________________________________________
Specific Cases
• _______________ are shown to result in:– Miscarriage– Stillbirth– Prematurity– Birth defects
X-Rays
• _____________ can cause birth defects
• Need to inform Dr.s of pregnancy before x-rays– Including _________
• Doctors will use ______________________________________
Rubella• “German measles”• Occurred several decades
ago• Mother’s infection of rubella
was passed to baby• Caused:
– _____________________ ______________________
• __________is now available, need to check if you had vaccine prior to _____________________
STDs• Can affect unborn babies
– Passed from infected mother
• Mothers aren’t always aware– Most doctors will test for
STDs– Solution for baby’s eyes for
_____________ germs that could lead to blindness
• Untreated- ___________ _____________________
Specific Cases• ________– no cure, invariably
fatal• Spread by unprotected
__________________ __________________
• Fetus can contract it through the mother
• Can lie hidden for years before causing symptoms
• Woman with AIDS- ____________ chance that baby will contract it
Genetic Counseling
• Review family medical history
• Answer the questions:– What is the chance that
this substance or disease will cause a problem?
– Is there any special care needed during pregnancy?
– Should any special tests be considered?