The ailments and conditions that afflict people today can be confusing, disturbing, and painful- both emotionally and physically. The Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders series provides clear, careful explanations that offer readers and researchers insight into what these conditions are, what causes them, how people live with them, and the latest about treatment and prevention. All volumes in the series include primary and secondary viewpoints, bibliographies, detailed indexes, and lists of organizations to contact for additional information.
Foreword 7
Introduction 9
Chapter 1 Understanding Birth Defects
1 An Overview of Birth Defects Karen Ericson Teresa G. Odle 17
More than three thousand types of birth defects have been identified. They have many causes and can affect any major organ or part of the body.
2 Common Birth Defects Katrina Woznicki 27
National studies show that cleft lip, cleft palate, and Down syndrome are the most common birth defects in the United States.
3 Orthopedic Birth Defects May Have a Genetic Cause Beth Miller 32
Researchers are trying to understand the possible genetic causes of common orthopedic birth defects.
4 The Environmental Causes of Structural Birth Defects Betty Mekdeci Ted Schettler 36
Studying the role that environmental factors play in causing birth defects is extremely challenging, but researchers are making progress.
5 Birth Defect Prevention Trust for America's Health 46
There are many things women can do before they become pregnant that can prevent birth defects.
6 Treating Birth Defects in the Womb Claudia Kalb 52
Advances in fetal surgery have made it possible to treat birth defects in the womb, raising many ethical questions.
Chapter 2 Controversies About Birth Defects
1 All Pregnant Women Should Have Prenatal Testing for Down Syndrome The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 62
All women, regardless of their age, should be offered prenatal screening for Down syndrome.
2 Prenatal Testing Should Not Be Expanded to All Women Victoria Seavilleklein 67
Pregnant women are not always properly informed about the ramifications of prenatal screening, and it should not be routinely offered.
3 Plastic Surgery to Correct Down Syndrome Facial Features Is Unethical Ann K. Suziedelis 82
Surgery on Down syndrome children for purely cosmetic purposes is disrespectful of their intrinsic human dignity, and it can further segregate them from society.
4 Plastic Surgery to Correct Down Syndrome Facial Features Is Ethical Arthur Caplan 90
Surgery to correct Down syndrome features can improve the quality of a child's life.
5 Assisted Reproductive Technologies Increase the Risk of Birth Defects Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 95
A national analysis of birth defects data shows that birth defects occur more often in children conceived with assisted reproductive technologies.
6 The Risk of Birth Defects from Assisted Reproductive Technologies Is Low Genevra Pittman 100
The risks of birth defects for children born via assisted reproductive technologies are low and should not deter parents looking for help conceiving a child.
Chapter 3 Personal Stories About Birth Defects
1 Down Syndrome Does Not Make My Child Defective Lara Wilkinson 106
A woman describes her experience of finding out her son has Down syndrome and how, after his birth, she learned what having the "perfect" child really means.
2 We Gave Our Baby Back to Heaven Dayna Olsen-Getty 115
A young woman describes how she found out her baby had a severe birth defect and how she and her husband decided to end the pregnancy.
3 A Birth Defect Makes Dating Challenging Carla Sosenko 120
A young woman describes how having a birth defect impacts her relationships with men.
4 Finding Hope Despite a Birth Defect Ward Foley 126
A man describes how his birth defect has not prevented him from living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Glossary 136
Chronology 141
Organizations to Contact 146
For Further Reading 150
Index 152
Overview
The ailments and conditions that afflict people today can be confusing, disturbing, and painful- both emotionally and physically. The Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders series provides clear, careful explanations that offer readers and researchers insight into what these conditions are, what causes them, how people live with them, and the latest about treatment and prevention. All volumes in the series include primary and secondary viewpoints, bibliographies, detailed indexes, and lists of organizations to ...