[MUST READ] Birth defects are real, pregnant moms beware

Probably because of the economic situation, many pregnant women neglect to go to the hospital for antenatal checkups through which the physician can monitor the progress of their pregnancy and prescribe standard medical advice where necessary.

In some instances, some pregnant women simply find solace in substandard hospitals manned by ill-trained personnel, while some make do with traditional birth attendants in their communities, the majority of whom are known to be unable to handle any emergency.

Experts warn that when pregnant women don’t attend antenatal clinics in standard medical facilities, they don’t only risk complications during delivery, but their unborn babies risk being born with certain abnormalities that might have been prevented or, at least, minimised if the doctor had seen such while the baby is still in the womb.

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Gynaecologit, Dr. Bejide Johnson, warns that so many things could lead to deformity of an unborn child, and that after delivery, some of the deformities may become life-threatening for the baby, while some may make the child to be terribly deformed.

“Either way, no one wants to have an imperfect baby; and while some deformities may be unavoidable, so many of them can be prevented if only the mother presents to the physician immediately she suspects she is pregnant.

“Again, at birth, the physician examines the baby, and where there is any deformity, it could be detected early, and this will allow for timely corrective intervention where necessary,” Johnson counsels.

What are the deformities that a baby could have and which, if possible, are avoidable?

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Foot deformity

Experts say an examination of the feet is an essential component of an evaluation of a newborn. “Most deformities can be diagnosed easily with physical examination, using few diagnostic studies. A thorough examination includes assessment of vascular, dermatologic and neurologic status of the lower extremities; and observation, palpation and evaluation of joint range of motion in both feet.

“Common newborn foot abnormalities include metatarsus adductus (which causes the front half of the foot to turn inward), congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot), calcaneovalgus (flexible flatfoot), congenital vertical talus (rigid flatfoot), and polydactyly (multiple digital deformities such as overlapping toes), and amniotic bands (a condition that constricts limbs, causing amputations, webbed fingers and toes, etc).

A paediatrician, Dr. Tunde Olaiya, says treatment for any of these anomalies could include observation, stretching, and splinting, which can be performed easily in the hospital.

“For very bad cases, the attending physician may recommend surgery when the child is old enough to tolerate anaesthesia, say at age six months or nine months,” Olaiya states.

Deformity from mom’s infections

Johnson warns that when a woman gets an infection before or during pregnancy, her unborn baby may develop birth defects. Mother’s infections such as German measles (rubella), cytomegalovirus (a contagious virus that spreads via bodily secretions), syphilis, toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection that is very dangerous during pregnancy), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (a mosquito-borne viral infection), parvovirus (an infection that is associated with several other diseases or health conditions including painful or swollen joints), and, rarely, chickenpox can all spell doom for an unborn baby.

Olaiya notes that in the case of rubella, for instance, if a pregnant mom is infected during early pregnancy, the unborn baby has highest risk for birth defects by approximately 20 per cent, while the mother may miscarry or have a dead baby (stillborn)!

The online portal, mayoclinic.org, warns that up to 90 percent of infants born to mothers who have rubella during the first 11 weeks of pregnancy develop congenital rubella syndrome.

“This can cause one or more problems, such as growth retardation, cataracts, deafness, congenital heart defects, defects in other organs and mental retardation,” the portal submits.

Physicians say the highest risk to the foetus is during the first three months of pregnancy, but they quickly add that exposure later in pregnancy is also dangerous.

The good news is that rubella is one of the vaccine-preventable infections, and pregnant women who have high risk of possible infection can take the readily available vaccines under the supervision of their doctors.

Congenital heart disease

Olaiya says many factors can make an unborn baby to develop congenital heart disease in utero. Such factors include maternal diabetes, Down’s syndrome, and exposure to organic solvents found in a wide range of products and substances such as paint, nail polish and glue.

He adds, “Unguarded use of drugs (including common ones such as ibuprofen, a pain killer; and certain acne or epilepsy medicine), abuse of alcohol and even common flu can contribute in no small measure to an unborn baby developing heart deformities.”

The physicians agree that, ideally, pregnant women must avoid taking drugs in the first three months of pregnancy; and if ever they feel unwell, they must consult a competent physician, instead of resorting to self-medication.

Experts say congenital heart disease occurs when something affects the heart’s development during about week five of pregnancy when the heart is very much in a delicate developmental stage.

Diabetes connection

Diabetologist, Dr. Afokoghene Isiavwe of Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lekki Phase 1, reasons that women with type-1 and type-2 diabetes are five times more likely to give birth to a baby with congenital heart disease than women who do not have diabetes. And that’s why pregnant diabetic women must make regular clinic attendance a must!

Johnson adds that congenital anomalies may result in long-term disability, which may have significant impacts on the baby, families, health-care systems and societies.

Then bottom line: The World Health Organisation counsels that many congenital anomalies can be prevented through appropriate and timely vaccination, adequate intake of folic acid and iodine, and adequate antenatal care.

- Solaade Ayo-Aderele/Punch

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