1. What are some causes of birth defects?

2. Problems in Prenatal Development
Sometimes a pregnancy begins, but a baby doesn’t develop normally
If the baby dies before the 20th week it is called a miscarriage
If the baby dies after that time, it is called a stillbirth.
15-20% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage
2% ends in stillbirth
Due to bonds that are formed way before the child is born, parents (especially the woman) may go through grieving.

3. Birth Defects
Some babies survive the pregnancy but are born with serious problems called birth defects.
Some birth defects include:
Cerebral Palsy
Cleft Lift and/or palate
Down Syndrome
Muscular Dystrophy
Sickle Cell Anemia
Spina Bifida and more!

4. Causes of Birth Defects
Some causes are environmental because it is during the first few weeks that a baby develops all the bodily systems needed for survival
The mother’s diet
Any diseases or infections the mother has
Harmful substances
Some medicines
Exposure to hazards (such as chemicals, X-rays, etc.)
Some causes are hereditary
Sometimes a child inherits a defective gene that is dominant such as Huntington's
Some conditions affect only one sex and usually it’s the males
Hemophilia
Color blindness and more

5. More Causes of Birth defects
Errors in chromosomes
Such as when a baby has too many or too few chromosomes or has broken or rearranged chromosomes
This usually leads to Down Syndrome

6. Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth Defects
All types of birth defects cannot be anticipated or controlled, but there are several things that couples can do to minimize the chances.
Genetic counseling for those who have a history of birth defects in their family
Prenatal tests that can also determine whether or not a baby will be born with a birth defect
AFP tests the protein levels in the liver and an abnormal level could me a birth defect
Ultrasound can help determine problems with the baby’s skeletal, circulatory, or nervous systems.
Amniocentesis is when fluids are withdrawn fro the amniotic fluid and taken to a lab to be tested for birth defects

7. The Dilemma
What is your opinion on knowing if a child has a birth defect before they are born?
What would you do?
What do you think about parents who want this information only to determine whether to abort the baby or not?
Write a half page or more explaining your position on this topic!
You have 3 minutes to copy down these questions
They should all be discussed in your paper

8. Avoiding Dangers to the Baby
Always avoid alcohol which leads to Fetal alcohol syndrome
1 in 5 babies born with this does not live to see his or her 1st birthday
Other Drugs
Medicines that are over the counter and prescribe by the doctor
Caffeine
Nicotine
All illegal drugs
inhalants

9. Causes of Drugs Not avoiding the drugs can lead to: Low birth weight
SIDS (Sudden infant death syndrome)
Risks of seizures
Tremors and developmental delay
Congenital heart disease

10. Hazardous Substances and Chemicals
A pregnant woman should also avoid:
Paint-low odor and/or latex
Pesticides
Lead
Carbon monoxide
Mercury (found in fish)

11. Infections
Occasionally a woman might get and infection during pregnancy and should seek immediate doctor’s attention.
Some of the infections include:
Rubella
Toxoplasmosis
Chicken pox
Other diseases that may cause birth defects includes STD’s and AIDS

12. Reflection Write down 3 facts you learned about birth defects today.
Write down 3 more things you would like to learn about birth defects.