1. Problem Pregnancies Birth Defects

2. What is a Birth Defect?  An abnormality of structure, function or body metabolism (body chemistry) present at birth that results in physical or mental disability or is fatal. http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/reporter_jpgs/reporter_9.8.06_15.jpg

3. FACTS  About 150,000 babies are born each year with birth defects.  The parents of one out of every 28 babies receive the frightening news that their baby has a birth defect

4. Facts  There are over 4,000 known birth defects  Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life

5. Low Birthweight  An infant born less than 5 Pounds

6. Causes  Both genetic and environmental factors can cause birth defect. However, the causes of about 60% of birth defects are currently unknown.

7. Causes  A single abnormal gene can cause birth defects. Every human being has about 100,000 genes that determine traits like eye color, hair, etc. http://www.mhhe.com/

8. Prevention  Visit a health care provider for a pre-pregnancy check up. http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/oehp/hsc/briefs/six/figure6.gif

9. Prevention  When pregnant get proper nutrition and take a daily multivitamin containing 400 mg of folic Acid  Avoid any kind of drugs (alcohol, smoking, medication, caffeine)  Treat any diseases before getting pregnant (STD, Rubella, parasites, etc)  Avoid exposure to radiation

10. Factors that contribute to Birth Defects:  Overweight  Underweight  Ethnic Background (Jewish/ African American decent  Last birth was less than 12 month ago  Has had Problems with pervious pregnancies (miscarriages, still born)  Has had more than 5 pregnancies

11.  Drinks alcohol  Uses drugs (prescription or illegal)  Takes vitamins  Drinks caffeine  Has had exposure to chemicals  Live in a home built before 1955  Constant exposure to cats  Has had x-rays during pregnancy

12.  High blood pressure  Has a genetic birth defect  Health problems: Genital herpesDiabetes GonorrheaHigh blood pressure SyphilisHeart disease EpilepsyAnemia  No immunizations against rubella  Rh factor

13. Diagnosing defects before birth.  Ultrasound  Amniocentesis  Chronic villus sampling (small sample of cells taken from placenta) http://imgsrv.1010wins.com/image/DbGraphic/200702/447188.jpg

14. Can birth defects be treated before birth?  Advances in prenatal therapy now make it possible to treat some birth defects before birth.  Prenatal surgery – urinary-tract blockages, rare tumors in the lungs, spina bifida, ph disease,

15. Types of Birth Defects

16. Malformations present at birth Defects such as congenital heart malformation, spina bifida (open spine), cleft palate, clubfoot http://www.pedsent.com/images/surg_palatecomplete.jpg

17. Inborn errors of metabolism Defects such as PKU, Tay Sachs disease http://www.grubstreetbooks.ca/renia/Resources/miraandnaomi.jpeg

18. Blood Disorders Defects such as sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, thalassemia. http://www.pathguy.com/lectures/hemophilia.jpg

19. Chromosomal Abnormalities Conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome (XXY), Turner Syndrome (X). http://www.hibbert-assembly.org.uk/Downs/David.jpg http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/disorders/karyot ype/turnersyndrome.cfm

20. Prenatal damage Cases include certain infections, drugs, maternal disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, Rh disease, umbilical cord accidents, difficult labor or delivery, premature birth.