Essay On Birth Defect

Advances in medicine have allowed us to save babies lives before they are even born.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. Various birth defects may be present, including central nervous system dysfunctions and malformations of the skull and face. Fetal alcohol syndrome was first described in France in the late 1960’s, and the United States described it a few years later (Christensen, p1). The condition was extremely difficult to recognize because not every mother who drank excessively bore a child with any abnormalities or symptoms (Christensen, p1).

Health problems: such as Asthma which affects the child’s breathing, the child will then get breathless a lot quicker than others when taking part in physical activities. Other factors such having been born premature could result in health problems affecting their development and having a slower development rate. A child could be born

Most people avoid thinking of the idea of having one of their future children born with a genetic disorder. But this is not a realistic thought. A study made by the National Down Syndrome Society (2014) found out that about one in every seven hundred babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder caused by an error during the cell division. This results in an extra copy of the chromosome 21 which alters the brain and body development. People with Down syndrome are born with intellectual disability, some characteristic facial features and cognitive delays. It has been demonstrated that the possibility of a child being born with Down syndrome increases as the age of the mother increases, and clearly women have delayed their maternity especially

2. Premature births can alter with the baby’s intellectual and developmental progression causing problem with the functioning of the baby’s brain. i. This can delay the baby’s physical and learning development, its ability to communicate with others, and with the ability to care for itself. ii. The baby can also have behavior problems, ADHD, Autism, Neurological disorders, hearing loss, and several other disabilities.

Factors such as lack of health insurance, poor living conditions, being under-educated, stress and the lack of social support can put the infants at risk for mortality. Many African Americans, especially those who are poor and those working without health care benefits, are less likely than white Americans to have a usual source of health care (Copeland, 2005). An environment a person lives in is related to health problems too. Families living in urban areas are confronted with the constant challenges of population density, inadequate or unaffordable housing, overcrowding, limited access to resources, and high crime rates (Copeland, 2005). African American families are at risk for SIDS due to the environment that the baby is discharged.

There are different methods of caring for babies especially those born with birth defects. The main idea is that the medical field has progressed since my Nana’s birth and will continue to progress as the years go

At 28-30 weeks into the pregnancy they found out that their baby would be born with a birth defect called Arthrogryposis; which means the baby will not be able to bend at the joints. The baby would never be able to eat or walk on its own and the mother said, “We would rather

Some of the problems babies can have are that it was born prematurely, it had birth defects, or cardiac malformation, and surgical problems (Neonatal Nursing Career”). Neonatal nurses are put in different levels depending on their education,

A frequent accidents like choking or falls can affect the brain development of the baby. 3. Genetic factors - when the genetic make-up

Consumptions of large amount of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to a Fetal alcohol syndrome or (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most common known non-genetic (non-inherited) cause of mental retardation in the United States which is estimated three out of a thousand babies. Defects can be small heads and brain, facial abnormalities, and defects of other organs. When mother drinks alcohol while pregnant the alcohol goes through the fetus body which can cause the alcohol to remain in the baby’s body even longer. When mother is an alcoholic or drinks alcohol three to four times a day the baby that she is carrying can also be addicted to alcohol.

The cause of this condition is not known. RISK FACTORS This condition is more likely to develop in: • Children aged 3–15 years. • Boys.

Helping low birth weight, premature babies: The infant health and development program. Stanford, Calif: Stanford University

The effects these babies have to suffer through can follow them throughout their lives. There is a series of substances a baby can be born addicted to, such as heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Mothers who abuse legal/illegal substances run the risk of giving birth to babies born with addictions that can lead to Fetal Abstinence Syndrome, and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the pattern of physical, developmental, and functional problems in infants during pregnancy caused by alcohol. Each year in the U.S., 1 out of 750 infants is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Genetics. Family history can contribute to the occurrence of orofacial clefts. Parents who have a history of clefts in their respective families are more likely to have babies with cleft lips and palates than parents wjho do not. 2. Smoking.