Birth Abnormalities - Assignment Example

Biology tasks Birth abnormalities Downs syndrome In this birth defect, an individual is born with an extra chromosome. In normal situations, babies are usually born with forty-six (46) chromosomes. Babies, born with Down syndrome, have an extra copy of chromosome. This occurs on chromosome 21. This condition is referred to as trisomy 21. Thus, the extra copy of chromosome changes the babies’ brain and body development. As a result, the babies born with trisomy 21 develop physical and mental challenges. Causes The extra chromosome in these babies leads to challenges in the developmental and physical features observed in people born with downs syndrome. The syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. Test Down syndrome can be diagnosed during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. During pregnancy screening and diagnostic testing, are appropriate tests that detect whether a baby is likely to have Down syndrome or the likelihood of getting transferring the genetic abnormalities to the child. After birth, physical examination of the baby is enough for the doctor to diagnose the child with Down syndrome. Anencephaly This a birth abnormality in which a baby is born without the skull and the brain. This defect is a neural tube defect. This type of defect occurs during the first month of pregnancy before even the mother realizes she is pregnant. Causes The causes of anencephaly are not well understood. However, there are factors that increase chances of having babies getting affected. Such factors include low intake of folic acid before pregnancy and in the early period of pregnancy. Mothers, who have low iron content due to low folic intake, are at risk of getting children with anencephaly. Tests Anencephaly can be confirmed by diagnosis during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy, prenatal testing/screening testing is done to confirm the defect and other conditions. In some cases, the abnormality is usually not detected during pregnancy and confirmed immediately after birth through physical examination. Cleft lip Occurs when the lip of the baby is not in the proper form during pregnancy Causes Most of the causes are unknown. They are thought to be caused by a combination of both genes and other factors the maternal environment Test Can be diagnosed using ultrasound during pregnancy and after the child is born Gastroschisis Birth abnormality where the wall of the abdomen is not strong to hold the intestines thus the intestines stick outside the body Causes Occur during early pregnancy when there is a failure in the formation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy Test Diagnostic screening can be sued to detect Gastroschisis during pregnancy and after pregnancy Anotia This birth defect happens when there is an absence of the external ear of the baby Causes Changes in genes have been a link to the condition. In addition, the use of certain medicines by the mother can lead to Anotia Test Diagnosis is visible at birth. Special test can be done on the baby’s ear to diagnose the condition Common problem causing infertility Endometriosis In this condition, tissues are found along the uterine wall making it hard for implantation Solution- surgery is the ideal treatment to remove the growths and unblock the tubes. In addition, artificial insemination and the use of fertility drugs can be used to enhance chances of pregnancy Ovulation problems This condition is usually hormonal in nature and normally prevents the maturation of eggs in the ovaries Solution- use of in-vitro fertilization system ad fertility drugs Poor quality of the ovum Poor quality of the egg reduces chances of fertilization taking place Solution- use of eggs from the donor and in-vitro fertilization Developmental stage from fertilization to term An egg is usually released from the ovary during every normal cycle of the woman’s menses. At ovulation, the cervical mucus becomes fluid and elastic; this allows sperms to enter rapidly into the uterus into the fallopian tube for fertilization. Fertilization results when a sperm penetrates the egg. Five to eight days after fertilization has taken place, the blastocyst attaches itself to the uterine lining near the fundus in a process referred to as implantation. This process is completed within nine days. After the implantation, the next process involves the development of the embryo. Under the uterine lining, this develops within the amniotic sac. This stage also involves the development of internal organs and external structures of the body. About ten weeks after fertilization took place, nearly all-internal body organs have been formed exception of the brain and the spine. At this stage, the embryo is considered a fetus. Sex can be determined at fourteen week's gestation, and the woman starts feeling the movement of the fetus in sixteen weeks. At twenty-four week's gestation, the fetus has the chances of surviving outside the womb. The lungs continue maturing until last week of pregnancy (England, 270). Impact of pregnancy on the mother’s body Changes in hormones Pregnant women experience increase in the level of progesterone and estrogen and another hormone. These changes not only affects the moods of the mother, but also pregnancy “glow” thus helping in the fetal development, and alter the physical impact of exercise and body activity. Physiological changes Because of the first-trimester changes in hormone, several physiological changes that take place throughout the mother body also undergoes changes. These changes are vital in the preparation of the mother’s body for the entire pregnancy period, childbirth, and breastfeeding. These changes can also alter the experiences of the woman through taste, smell, and sight Skin changes During pregnancy, several pregnant women do experience changes in the appearance of their skin. Most of these changes are temporary and last for the duration of pregnancy. However, some such as stretch marks can cause changes on the skin that are permanent. Circulatory changes Changes in blood pressure are common in pregnant women due to the rapid blood vessel expansion that increases stress in both the heart and the lung. Pregnant women do produce more blood compared to normal women and have to be more cautious with exercise. Respiratory and metabolic changes Due to the increased demand for blood supply and the consequent blood vessels dilatation, pregnant mothers do experience an increase in demand for oxygen. This increase in demand also causes an increase in the rate of metabolisms making women to increase their energy intake. Advantages of breastfeeding for the baby and mother Baby Breastfeeding provides the infant with ideal nutrients. The milk has nearly perfect mix of nutrients that the baby needs to grow. The breast milk contains antibodies that help the baby fight infections. In addition, it also lowers the child’s risk of developing asthma and allergies. Breastfeeding has been associated with intelligence and high IQ score of the child. Mother It helps in burning extra calories thus help the mother in losing down extra pregnancy weight. It helps the uterus contract by releasing the oxytocin hormone thereby reducing chances of uterine bleeding that occurs after birth. In addition, it also lowers chances of ovarian as well as breast cancer and osteoporosis. Works cited England, Marjorie A. “The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology.” Journal of anatomy 166 (1989): 270.  Read More