The birth of a child who has some deviations from normal development is always a great sorrow and shock for parents. Fortunately, modern medicine has the ability to detect the developmental defects of the fetus even at the earliest stages, which gives the chance to make the right and balanced decision about the continuation of the gestation.
Causes of fetal malformations
There is a huge list of factors provoking the occurrence of abnormal phenomena during the growth of the child inside the womb. These include:
- hereditary or acquired genetic defects;
- ionizing radiation;
- Fetal malformations can result from infection;
- strong medications;
- bad habits of parents;
- work associated with toxic or chemical substances, and the like.
It is worth noting that even a completely healthy and prosperous family can fully identify congenital malformations of the fetus. Therefore, it is so important to take responsibility responsibly to the planning of pregnancy and the timely passage of the necessary tests and studies.
Diagnosis of malformations of the fetus
Examination of the pregnant woman for the presence of abnormalities in the fetus occurs in several stages and is mandatory. So, for example, if a woman for any reasons fell into the risk group, then at 11-13 weeks she needs to undergo studies to identify the developmental defects of the fetus. These include ultrasound diagnosis and a detailed blood test.
At the second stage, which falls on 16-18 weeks, it is necessary to pass a triple biochemical analysis during pregnancy on the developmental fetuses, the results of which are refuted or confirmed by ultrasound. This study shows the presence of special markers that can indicate the presence of abnormal processes in the development of the child inside the womb.
All the data obtained as a result of the determination of the fetal developmental anomalies are carefully studied and compared by specialists using computer programs. But the definitive diagnosis is established only at delivery of additional analyzes. Most congenital malformations of the fetus are determined by the method of chorion biopsy, investigation of amniotic fluid and blood from the baby's umbilical cord.
The most common abnormal phenomena of intrauterine growth of the baby
Heart disease in the fetus is an abnormal structure of the heart and blood vessels, the laying of which occurs already at 2-8 weeks of pregnancy. Any mother can face this phenomenon, regardless of age or way of life.
But the most common causes of heart disease in the fetus are:
- heredity;
- bad ecology;
- intrauterine infection;
- metabolic disorders in the mother or child;
- Congenital heart disease in the fetus can result from the abuse of alcohol, nicotine or drugs.
This disease can be established both at the gestation stage, and after a while after the child's birth. The signs of a heart defect in a fetus are determined by careful examination by an ultrasound machine and must be confirmed by analysis. Of course, most clearly the symptoms of cardiac muscle anomalies are manifested after the birth of the baby, when the doctor observes cyanosis or pallor of the skin, dyspnea, developmental delay, pain in the heart of a child, and so on.
It is also often found in the fetus lung defects, which can manifest as a lack of the main bronchus and one lung at the same time, underdevelopment of all elements of the respiratory system, stretching one or more lobes and so on.
It is necessary to understand that the detection of malformations of the fetus on the ultrasound of pregnant women is more informative than confirmatory, since the device is capable of establishing only gross violations in the growth of the child.