Thoughts on Birth Defects

I chose to do this topic for my blog specifically because I have had experience with children with birth defects. My parents have done foster care and have had many young children with problems in their home. Some of the most memorable were the children with fetal alcohol. These children were clearly not in control of their actions. They were extremely impuslive and did not respond to traditional child rearing methods. They also were dealing with learning and mental disabilities. It is sad to see children in such a condition. Through no fault of their own they are going to have to struggle through life. If their mothers had simply not consumed alcohol while they were pregnant they would not be dealing with these disabilites.

Another foster child we had in our home was a Meth baby. while she does not have a particular birth defect, she suffers from a sleeping disorder as well as ADHD. She has also had to have speech therapy peridoicaly. All of these issues could have been prevented if her mother had not used drugs.

So basically preventing birth defects boils down to sexually active women being responsible. If a women is having sex she needs to be taking folic acid, not consuming alcohol or illegal drugs, only taking over the counter and prespcription drugs thave have been approved by her doctor.

For more information about having a healthy pregnancy please visit Womens Health and the Mayo Clinic

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Symptoms

· Deformities of joints, limbs, and fingers

· Mental retardation, and delayed development

· Vision difficulties or hearing problems

· Small head circumference and brain size

· Heart Defects

· Abnormal behavior such as a short attention span, hyperactivity, extreme nervousness, poor impulse control, and anxiety

· Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip

Diagnosis

It is impossible for a doctor to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome before a baby is born.

However if you have been drinking during pregnancy it is important to tell your doctor so he can watch the baby for symptoms after birth. If the doctor knows you have been drinking he will watch for facial deformities, heart defects, and growth defects. The doctor can also do an IQ test and evaluate language development. Your doctor may also suggest that you have a geneticist test your child to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. Supportive treatment for symptoms may be available. It is recommended that parents receive counseling in how to help their child cope.

Dealing With It

· Implement a daily routine that your child can become accustomed to

· Use a reward system to encourage good behavior

· Teach your child everyday living skills

· Create and enforce simple rules and limits

For more information visit the Mayo Clinic website, and eMed TV