Birth Defects Of Babies Are Serious Functional Or Structural Abnormalities

The use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol exact a steep price from our society. Substance abuse is a factor in many serious ills such as crime. More upsetting, however, is the affects that it has on children born affected from their dependent mothers. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 60 percent of women of childbearing age consume alcoholic beverages despite the fact that alcohol consumption during pregnancy is implicated in a wide range of birth defects and developmental disabilities, including mental retardation, physical abnormalities, and visual and auditory impairments. (Nevitt, 1996)

Even though there are many studies that highlight the damaging effects of maternal alcohol use on a fetus in utero, there are a multitude of other substances that are used by pregnant mothers that have similar and even, in some cases, more extreme repercussions such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. When speaking about pregnancy and drug use, the most common drug that comes to mind is alcohol. During 12 years of schooling, most people are exposed, at one point or another, to the idea of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the detrimental effects of alcohol on a fetus in utero. The effects of maternal use of the aforementioned illicit drugs is less studied, partially because they are used less frequently. It is important, however, that as a population, we become more educated about these drugs and the potentially life threatening outcomes for babies in utero.

Birth defects, also known as congenital anomalies, is the second leading cause of death for infant accounted for 20.9 percent of all infant deaths in U.S in 2011 (U.S. Dept, 2016).

Spina bifida is a birth condition characterized by the incomplete development of the spine. Many students with spina bifida are able to be educated in the general education classes. There are three different types of spina bifida and can have diverse medical and academic problems. Many students with spina bifida do not stand out from other students. A student with spina bifida will often need crutches, braces, or a wheelchair. Many of the students will also be cathererizated and will need a nurse to help with the self-catheterization. Most students with spina bifida will have average intelligence and tend to be proficient is reading and spelling. Difficulties may surface in retention of information, organization, reasoning, and impulsivity.

Spina Bifida literally means “split spine”. It is the most common permanent disabling birth defect in the United States. It happens when the brain, spinal cord do not completely develop. It is the most common neural tube defect in the United States- affecting 1500 to 2000 of more than four million babies in each year. An estimate shows 166,000 individual lives with Spina Bifida in the United States. I choose this disorder because many people do not about the effects, causes, symptoms and treatments about the disorder and I wanted to know more about spina bifida.

Spina bifida is a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect, it happens if the spinal column of the fetus does not close completely during the first month or pregnancy, that can damage the nerves and spinal cord" (U.S National Library Medicine, 2014). Spina bifida's symptoms are defending on how severe the defect is. Children with mild form of spina bifida do not have any problems. According to WebMD, children with the most severe form often, have spine, and brain issues that cause serious problems (2014). Scientists believed that spina bifida is caused by a condition of genetic and environmental factors such as the mother's nutrition. "The long-term problems associated with spina bifida are; bowel problems, muscles movement, sensation, intellect and education, sexual function, emotional and family support (which are the most, needed on both affected person and their family), and urine and kidney problem; almost all

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Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. Spina Bifida happens when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not close all the way.There are four types of Spina Bifida, Occulta, Closed Neural tube defects, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. Spina Bifida Occulta is one or more vertebrae are not properly formed. In Closed Neural tube defects it consists of a diverse group of defects in which the spinal cord is marked by malformations of fat, bone, or meninges. Meningocele is spinal fluid and meninges protrude through an abnormal vertebral opening. And Myelomeningocele is the most severe and occurs when the spinal cord/neural elements are exposed through the opening in the spine, resulting

"Spina bifida is a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect, it happens if the spinal column of the fetus does not close completely during the first month or pregnancy, that can damage the nerves and spinal cord" (U.S National Library Medicine, 2014). Spina bifida's symptoms are defending on how severe the defect is. Children with mild form of spina bifida do not have any problems. According to WebMD, children with the most severe form often, have spine, and brain issues that cause serious problems (2014). Scientists believed that spina bifida is caused by a condition of genetic and environmental factors such as the mother's nutrition. "The long-term problems associated with spina bifida are; bowel problems, hydrocephalus surgery, muscles

These three Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders may have mild to severe effects on the fetus. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, is known for the physical abnormalities it causes. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome have abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip, small head size, shorter than average height and low body weight. FAS also causes problems in the central nervous system and may cause a wide range of behavioral issues (CDC,2015). Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder has properties that may not be readily visible right after birth. The reason being that the disorder is based on the effects it has on the child intellectually and behaviorally. These effects are prominently seen when the child is older. These children have difficulties with math, memory, attention, judgment, and impulse control (CDC, 2015). The last Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder that will be discussed is Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD). The defects associated with this disorder are problems with the heart, kidneys, bones and hearing. Other consequences of alcohol consumption while pregnant include spontaneous abortion, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, and death. All of these consequences can be easily prevented if a mother chooses to abstain from drinking while she is pregnant.

Birth defects are not uncommon in our society today. In fact, 1 in every 33 babies born each year in the United States, are born with a birth defect. Overall, 120,000 children are affected with impairments and disabilities (CDC). Spina bifida falls under the category of neural tube defects. Spina bifida is a birth defect that affects an infant’s spinal cord and brain. Spina bifida affects around 1,500 to 2,000 children each year (March of Dimes). There are several forms of this disability, each varying from life-threatening to mild.

When we think of drug and alcohol abuse for the most part we focus on the older adult. We forget that teenagers and young adults partake in drug and alcohol abuse. These type of activities, when abused, tend to have long lasting repercussions. In the long run, underaged drinking interferes with children's development. Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the top three known causes of birth defects, and is totally preventable.A number of pregnant women who take illegal drugs also use legal drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol. All these drugs cross the placenta and can affect the fetus prenatally, causing withdrawal symptoms at birth. Many of

Congenital abnormalities occur during a fetus’s development before birth. In the United States, about three to four percent of babies are born with some sort of congenital abnormality. Spina bifida is the most common congenital abnormality, occurring in about one in every one thousand births. Spina bifida happens when the spinal bones do not close properly during formation. Spina bifida can be seen in a newborn by a small sac located on the spine. Surgery must be done within the first few days of the infant’s life in order to remove the sac. The sac contains spinal fluid and damaged nerves, but little can be done to repair the damaged nerves.

Spina Bifida means that you have a split in your spine. Scientist say that there are about 8 babies that are born with spina bifida a day. Doctors detect spina bifida by using MSAFP short for Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein. Other ways that spina bifida can be diagnosed is prenatal screening, Ultrasound and Amniocentesis. Causes of spina bifida is obesity, exposure to high temperatures, exposure to certain chemicals. 2,000 babies of the 4 million babies are born with spina bifida. Children with spina bifida have more problems walking, can have kidney problems and can also have some levels of sexual dysfunction. Spina Bifida usually don't have treatments but certain types of spina bifida can be treated with surgery, prenatal surgery, ongoing

Spina Bifida is a defect in one or more vertebrae though which spinal cord contents can protrude. Spina Bifida literally means “split spine.” Spina Bifida takes place when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column doesn’t close all of the way. This is associated with a protrusion of the meningeal sac filled with a portion of the spinal cord. This can occur anywhere on the vertebral column but is more common on the lumbar section of the spine or the sacral portion of the spine. Unfortunately, this is the more common development disorder of the