1. Problems in Prenatal Development
Standard(s): 1.1 Workplace Skill(s): 1. Complex Communication

2. Losing a Baby
Miscarriage: the baby doesn’t develop normally and dies prior to the 20th week
Stillbirth: the baby dies after the 20th week
**Couples may go through stages of grief similar to those experienced by the loss of a child that was already born

3. Birth Defects
Birth Defects: babies born with serious problems that threaten their health or even their lives
There are hundreds of types of birth defects, each with its own set of symptoms
Approx. 150,000 babies around the world are born each year with a birth defect
Some cause abnormality in the structure of the body, others cause the body not to function properly

4. Types of Birth Defects Cerebral Palsy Cleft Lip/ Cleft Palate
Cystic Fibrosis
Down Syndrome
Muscular Dystrophy
PKU
Sickle Cell Anemia
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Tay-Sachs Disease

5. Causes of Birth Defects
Environmental Causes:
The nutritional balance of the mother’s diet
Any diseases or infections the mother has during pregnancy
Harmful substances the mother consumers
Some medicines that benefit the mother, but hurt the baby
Exposure to hazards; chemicals, X rays, radiation

6. Causes of Birth Defects
Hereditary Causes
Recessive inheritance: both parents pass on the same imperfect recessive gene
Dominant inheritance: one parent passes the dominant gene
Some inherited conditions only affect one sex
Ex: colorblindness usually affects only males

7. Causes of Birth Defects
Errors in Chromosomes: when an egg or sperm cell is developing, causing a baby to have too many or too few chromosomes.
Not a hereditary defect because neither parent has the abnormal chromosome
Down Syndrome is the most common
1/ is born with D.S.
chances increase with mother’s age

8. Causes for Birth Defects
The combination of hereditary and environment can lead to some birth defects.
Example: a child may inherit the tendency of a heart defect, but with a mother who uses drugs or has a virus, the baby will have the heart defect. If the child was not exposed, then the child would have been normal.
Important: What you do affects the unborn for a lifetime!

9. Discussion/Reflection
With a partner, discuss and debate what would you do if you were told by a genetic counselor there was a possibility that any of your future children could have Tay-Sachs disease.
Meaning the child would not live past age four.
Would you choose to not have children? Why or why not?

10. Prevention and Diagnosis of B.D.’s
Genetic Counseling: don’t tell people what to do about the information; only explain options and risks
Family history
Physical examinations
Prenatal Tests
More than 100 kinds of B.D.’s can be detected before a baby is born
Determine what treatments, if any, are necessary for the child before or after birth

11. Prenatal Tests Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Ultrasound
blood test performed between weeks 15 & 20
AFP is a protein produced in the liver of the fetus
Ultrasound
Uses sound waves to make a video image, called a sonogram of an unborn baby
Monitors the development of the baby, pinpoints the age and due dates, and checks for multiples
Monitors skeletal, circulatory, & nervous systems

12. Prenatal Tests Amniocentesis: Chorionic Villi Sampling:
Process of withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn baby
Needle inserted through mother’s abdomen into the amniotic sac
Used to test for Down Syndrome in mother’s over age 35
Risk to fetus/may cause miscarriage
Chorionic Villi Sampling:
Uses a sample of the tissue from the membrane that encases the fetus

13. Recap Activity Scenario:
Your friend has just become pregnant (you are now 30 years old, not 15).
Describe to her the options of different prenatal testing, and what are the risks associated with each test.

14. Alcohol and Pregnancy
Doctors don’t know just how much alcohol it takes to endanger a developing baby.
There is no known “safe” amount of alcohol that pregnant woman can drink.
Doctors recommend that women do not consume alcohol when they are trying to become pregnant and throughout the pregnancy

15. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
FAS is an incurable conditions that lasts a lifetime.
One in five babies (20%) born with FAS does not live to see his or her first birthday.
Babies born with FAS suffer problems such as facial deformity, delayed physical growth, heart defects, hyperactivity, mental retardation or severe learning problems.

16. Other Drugs to Avoid During Pregnancy
Prescription Drugs & Over-the-Counter Drugs
Caffeine (when consumed in large quantities)
Increased risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, & higher risk of infant death
Tobacco
Low birth rate & premature birth
Illegal Drugs
Mother passes addiction on to the baby
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

17. Hazardous Substances & Chemicals
Paint
Pesticides
Lead
Carbon monoxide
Mercury (found in fish)
Solvents, paint thinners, formaldehyde
X-rays

18. Infections Rubella: German measles
Blindness, deafness, heart disease, mental retardation
Toxoplasmosis: infection caused by parasite
Never clean a cat litter box while pregnant
Chicken Pox: viral infection

19. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Disease can be passed by the mother to the baby during birth or through the blood stream
Serious illnesses, physical disabilities, death
AIDS
35-65% chance baby will be born with the disease if mother has the disease

20. Ad Campaign
You will be researching a birth defect of your choice and a resource organization that supports the particular disease
After you’ve complied your research, you will make a print ad to present to the class, and sent to the corresponding organization