Maternal Infections and Birth Defects Quiz

A group of birth defects that occur together due to a known shared cause.

When two or more birth defects appear together more often than expected by chance alone, but the reason is unknown. An example is the VACTERL association.

A syndrome is a group of anomalies that occur together due to a specific common cause.

Associations are important because they help doctors recognize specific patterns in birth defects and promote the search for other possible abnormalities.

VACTERL association is an example of an association that includes vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, renal abnormalities, and limb deficiencies.

A group of medical conditions that can occur when a fetus is exposed to certain viruses during pregnancy. These conditions can range from mild to severe and include physical deformities and developmental delays. Examples of viruses that can cause malformations include measles, mumps, hepatitis, and influenza.

A parasitic infection that can be harmful to a fetus. It can cause various birth defects, including brain damage, blindness, and seizures. It is often spread through contaminated food and soil.

A bacterial infection that can be passed from a pregnant mother to her fetus. It can cause severe complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects. It is usually treated with antibiotics.

A characteristic feature of fetal toxoplasmosis infection, seen as white spots on imaging scans.

A type of infection that can be caused by various viruses, including measles, mumps, hepatitis, polio, echovirus, coxsackie virus, and influenza. These infections can sometimes lead to birth defects.

A virus that can cause birth defects, particularly impacting the brain and causing mental retardation.

A virus that can be prevented through vaccination and antibody testing, significantly reducing the incidence of birth defects.

A virus that can cause birth defects, including brain damage and mental retardation.

A virus that can cause birth defects, resulting in various health problems.

A virus that can cause birth defects, including severe immune system issues.

Structural, behavioral, functional, and metabolic disorders present at birth.

The study of birth defects.

A specialist in the diagnosis and understanding of birth defects.

The leading cause of infant mortality. They account for 21% of infant deaths.

Birth defects are the fifth leading cause of years of potential life lost before age 65.

Radiation can harm developing embryos, leading to a wide range of birth defects. The severity of these defects depends on the amount of radiation and the stage of development at the time of exposure.

Radiation can damage the genetic material of germ cells (sperm and egg), leading to mutations and subsequent birth defects in the offspring.

A teratogen is an agent that can cause birth defects in a developing embryo.

A mutagenic agent is something that can cause changes in the genetic material of an organism.

The atomic bomb explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in a high percentage of birth defects and deaths among children of women pregnant at the time.

Occur during the formation of structures, such as during organogenesis. Caused by environmental or genetic factors.

Result from mechanical forces that mold a part of the fetus over a prolonged period. Often involve the musculoskeletal system.

Result in the morphological alteration of already formed structures. Caused by destructive processes.

A common type of deformation affecting the feet.

A common type of disruption affecting the intestines.

The cause of birth defects is unknown in a significant number of cases, ranging from 40% to 60%.

Genetic factors like chromosome abnormalities and gene mutations play a role in approximately 15% of birth defects.

Environmental influences on a developing baby contribute to about 10% of birth defects.

A combination of genetic and environmental factors is responsible for 20% to 25% of birth defects.

Minor anomalies, such as small ears or pigmented spots, occur in about 15% of newborns. These anomalies are not harmful in themselves, but can indicate underlying major defects.

The study of birth defects that examines the medical history of mothers and their children.

The challenge of identifying a specific drug as a teratogen is difficult because pregnant women take many drugs, and some birth defects are common.

Thalidomide, a drug used to treat nausea and sleep problems, was found to cause limb defects (amelia and meromelia).

The likelihood of an agent causing birth defects depends on the genetic makeup of the developing baby and its interactions with the environment. The mother's genes also play a role in how her body metabolizes substances and fights infections, which can affect the baby.

The sensitivity to teratogens varies throughout pregnancy. The most vulnerable period is the third to eighth week of gestation, during embryogenesis.

The severity of birth defects depends on the amount of exposure to a teratogen and how long the exposure lasts.

Teratogens can cause problems by interfering with specific processes within developing cells and tissues during embryogenesis.

When an agent causes birth defects it can result in death, malformations, growth problems, or functional disorders.