Embryological defects in pregnancy

Question 1

What are the two most common embryological defects in babies?

Answer 1

Congenital heart defects

Neural tube defects

Question 2

What is a teratogen?

Answer 2

A drug or substance that harms the developing fetus

Question 3

What are the efects of teratogens?

Answer 3

intrauterine death
Structural (congenital malformations)
IUGR or growth defects
Neurodevlopmental/behavioural abnormalities
Developmental delays
Carcinogenesis

Question 4

How does timing affect the effects or teratogens?

Answer 4

1st trimester (3-11 weeks)- structural defects when organogensis is occurring
Functional or growth defects more likely after 12 weeks of gestation

Question 5

How do es carbamezipine affect a fetus?

Answer 5

ant- seizuredrug may cuase big ears, problem with eye fields, spina biffida,
Developmental disorders, developmental delays based on neurobehavioral assessments, and congenital anomalies (e.g., craniofacial defects, cardiovascular malformations, and anomalies involving various body system

Question 6

How does phenytoin affect a fetus

Answer 6

Increased frequencies of major malformations (such as orofacial clefts and cardiac defects), minor anomalies (dysmorphic facial features, nail and digit hypoplasia), growth abnormalities (including microcephaly), and mental deficiency
Increased malignancies e.g. neuroblastoma

Question 7

What increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 7

Binge drinking- 5 or more units on one occasion

Esp around conception and early pregnancy

Question 8

What are the signs of fetal alcohol syndrome?

Answer 8

Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)
Small head size.
Shorter-than-average height.
Low body weight.
Poor coordination.
Hyperactive behavior.
Difficulty with attention.
Poor memory.

Question 9

What is the classic triad of those with congenital rubella?

Answer 9

Sensorineural deafness
Eye abnormlaities (retinopathy, cataract and microphthalmia)
Congenital heart disease- patent artery stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus

Question 10

How can opiates effect a baby

Answer 10

Opiate dependence or toxicity can cause respiratory depression. Can also effect brain and skeleton

Question 11

How can tetracylines effect a fetus?

Answer 11

permanent yellow-gray-brown discoloration of the teeth and enamel hypoplasia
May also cause skeletal deformities

Question 12

How can retinoids effect a fetus?

Answer 12

ow-set ears (microtia) with narrowing (stenosis) of the ear canals or are born missing ears. Abnormalities of the middle and inner ears may also be present including hearing loss
malformations of the heart e.g. ventral septal defects
Hydrocephalus

Question 13

How can diethylstilbestrol effect a fetus?

Answer 13

Increased risk that the baby will develop clear cell cancer of the vagina and cervix