1. Problems in Prenatal Development

2. Miscarriage
Loss of a baby PRIOR TO the 20th week of pregnancy.

3. Stillbirth
Death of a baby AFTER the 20th week of pregnancy.

4. Birth Defects

5. PKU
Inability of body to process a common protein.

6. Sickle Cell Anemia
Malformed red blood cells interfere with oxygen supply.

7. Tay-Sachs Disease
Lack of a certain blood chemical makes body unable to process certain fats in the brain and nerve cells.

8. Down Syndrome
Extra chromosome 21 typically results in mental retardation.

9. Causes of Birth Defects

10. Environment Poor nutrition Diseases Harmful substances Medicines
Exposure to hazards such as radiation

11. Heredity Inheritance of two defective recessive genes.
Inheritance of one defective dominant gene.

12. Errors in Chromosomes
Having too few or too many chromosomes, broken or rearranged chromosomes.

13. Interaction of Heredity and Environment
Inherited genetic predisposition toward a defect coupled with exposure during pregnancy to certain medications, infections, or harmful substances.

14. What does a Genetic Counselor Do?
Uses information from physical exams and medical history to assess a couple’s risk for having a child with certain birth defects.

15. Prenatal Tests

16. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Mother’s blood is tested to detect abnormal levels of protein AFP
No known risk

17. Ultrasound or sonogram
Sound waves are used to make a video image of the unborn baby.
No known risk

18. Mrs. Cissel’s Grandson

19. Baby Cohen

20. Amniocentesis A small amount of amniotic fluid is removed and tested.
Some risk to fetus.

21. Chorionic Villi Sampling
Samples of tissue from the membrane that encases the fetus are removed and tested.
Greater risk than amniocentesis

23. Avoiding Dangers to the Baby

24. Alcohol Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy
Wide range of physical and mental disabilities that last a lifetime
Facial deformity, delayed physical growth, heart defects, & hyperactivity

25. Mental retardation and severe learning problems
Alcohol interferes with tissue growth and development
Brain tissue is easily injured by alcohol
Poor coordination and difficulty controlling behavior

26. Other Harmful Drugs Medicines – both over-the-counter and prescription
Caffeine – found in some foods and beverages
Nicotine and other toxic chemicals found in cigarettes
Illegal drugs and inhalants

27. X Rays
Radiation can cause birth defects

28. Hazardous Chemicals and Substances
Paint
Pesticides used to exterminate bugs
Lead (in water and paint)
Carbon monoxide
Mercury (found in fish, such as swordfish and shark)
Solvents, paint thinners, and formaldehyde (used in some workplaces)

29. Infections
Some pose a greater risk than others

30. Rubella Can cause severe birth defects
First three months most critical
Blindness
Deafness
Heart disease
Mental retardation

31. Toxoplasmosis An infection caused by a parasite
Can cause blindness, hearing loss, & learning disabilities
Death or long-term mental disabilities
Miscarriage or stillbirth
A pregnant woman should never clean a cat’s litter box, eat undercooked meat, and should wash hands thoroughly and immediately after touching raw meat.

32. Chicken Pox
If an expectant mother gets chicken pox during the first half of her pregnancy, her baby is at slight risk of getting a condition called “congenital varicella syndrome”
Scarring of the skin, limb defects, eye problems, and other serious abnormalities, miscarriage

33. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some can be passed on to the child during the birth process
Syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes, AIDS, and Chlamydia
Newborns are treated with a solution that will kill any gonorrhea germs that could cause blindness

34. AIDS 35 to 65% risk the virus will be passed on to the baby.
Attacks the brain
The infected babies often have seizures and retarded mental development.