Deformities: Circumstances that Cause a Deformed Child to be Born

Very often, we refer to the birth of an infant as the beginning of life. With due consideration, however, we realize that in some respects the series of occurrences that happen prior to birth are even more important than the postnatal happenings. This is so because if any one of those events that occur before birth takes place improperly, the child may, from then on, go through life physically disadvantaged; or the child's life may even be cut short.

Conception is that time when the characteristics of a child are determined, such as the color of his eyes and hair, the type of body build, and his mental capabilities. But it is during the next thirty-eight weeks or so of pregnancy when the body of a child goes through a series of development. Leading the process is the brain's development, with the nerve cells transmitting their fibers to all parts of the body. The heart undergoes an intricate plan of formation; starting with the second week, it pumps the child's own blood to all parts of his growing body. The lungs develop next; they, however, don't function until they fill with air (with the infant's first cry) and begin providing the child's requirements for oxygen.

Years ago, it was supposed that most infant deformities are caused by faulty heredity. That assumption has changed, and it is now known that the circumstances during those thirty-eight weeks before birth cause many deformities. It has been discovered that certain illnesses can cause deformed infants to be born. For example, a mother who, during the first thirteen weeks of pregnancy, contracts rubella (German measles) will most likely give birth to a baby with some physical imperfections.

Of course, there are inherited deformities, too. These happen when the gene that controls the development of any particular part of the body is faulty. It is fortunate that the defective genes in the cells of one person are usually not the defective ones in another person's cells. If the husband and wife are from family lines that are not related, the faulty genes contributed by one in that couple when their baby is conceived do not usually match the defective genes contributed by the other partner. But if husband and wife are related to each other (as in they're first or second cousins, for example), then the probability that their defective genes will correspond becomes greater. On occasion, a congenital deformity is caused by dominant genes so that the deformity will appear in the child despite one's union with a partner with normal genes.

The cells which make up the early embryo are so actively involved in growth and development that they require substantial amounts of oxygen, vitamins, and food materials. Insufficiencies in diet can therefore handicap the growing cells during their crucial periods of development. Likewise, a reduction in the amount of oxygen supplied to the cells can have a similar effect. An example of this is when certain kinds of anesthetics are used during the early stage of pregnancy.

Obstetricians and gynecologists alike are cognizant of the ways by which an expectant mom can avoid the circumstances that might harm the development of her unborn child which may lead to certain deformities. Apart from supervising any medicines that may be necessary so as to avoid those that might harm the mother or handicap the unborn child, these physicians will also counsel on a way of life that is marked by moderation, giving emphasis on overall physical fitness. [Read the Original Article]