children s health issues
Overview of General Problems in Newborns
Problems Before Birth
Problems in a newborn may have begun before birth. Problems that develop before birth may be related to conditions in the mother that existed before the pregnancy or developed during the pregnancy, or to conditions in the fetus. Appropriate Medical Care During Pregnancy can help prevent and diagnose many health issues in the mother and fetus. Expectant mothers can improve the chances of having a healthy baby by taking prenatal vitamins, receiving If a woman has Overview of Disease During Pregnancy , this can affect the fetus and negatively impact the health of the child. Pregnant people should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of different treatments for their specific health conditions. Diabetes During Pregnancy , especially when poorly controlled, may result in an increased risk of Epilepsy (a Seizure Disorders During Pregnancy ) increases the risk of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy , heart disease, and kidney disease may reduce the growth of the fetus and cause other complications. Women who are planning pregnancy or are pregnant should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of their current blood pressure medications and whether the medications should be continued or changed during pregnancy. High blood pressure is a major feature of Preeclampsia and Eclampsia , which is a health issue that occurs during pregnancy in some women. It can cause severe problems for the mother and fetus. This disorder can cause the mother's blood pressure to become severely elevated and can affect the mother's kidneys, liver, brain, and other organs. The placenta also may be affected, and the disorder can affect the growth of the fetus or cause the placenta to detach from the wall of the uterus. To prevent or manage such complications, doctors may recommend early delivery. A severe complication of preeclampsia is Asthma During Pregnancy does not usually affect the fetus as long as the mother's symptoms are well controlled. However, some pregnant women have frequent or severe asthma attacks that cause low oxygen levels, which can result in the fetus not getting enough oxygen. In such cases, pregnant women must receive appropriate treatment to protect themselves and the fetus. Thyroid Disorders During Pregnancy that causes a low thyroid hormone level ( Pregnant people who have Sickle Cell Disease may have increased sickle cell crises during pregnancy. If either parent carries the sickle cell gene or is affected by sickle cell disease, there is a risk of sickle cell disease in the child. Testing the parents before pregnancy can determine their risk of having a child with sickle cell disease. Genes that cause sickle cell disease can be detected in the fetus during the pregnancy, but the disease does not start until several months after birth. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an Many women worry that taking Safety of Medications During Pregnancy may have negative effects on a developing fetus. However, women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant may need to take certain medications to protect their health or the health of the fetus. Usually, these are medications that are needed to treat an ongoing health issue, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Pregnant women should ask their doctor before starting any new medication or changing current medications. Some common prescription medications that can cause problems for the fetus include Insulinwhen not taken as prescribed Some Antidepressants During Pregnancy (the risks and benefits should be discussed with a doctor) Seizure Disorders During Pregnancy (medications that control seizures) Smoking and Other Tobacco Use or being exposed to Alcohol is particularly dangerous to the fetus. Alcohol increases the risk of Opioids whether prescription medications or illicit drugs (such as heroin, increases the risk of poor growth of the fetus and prematurity. The preterm separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus ( Placental Abruption ) is more common among people who use Overview of Birth Defects or genetic abnormalities can involve almost any part of the body. 