...energy-yielding nutrients- carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Folate is one of the B-vitamins that help in cell multiplication. It is important in the development of red blood cells and the cells lining the GI tract. The need for folate increases during the time of pregnancy as much cell multiplication is occurring. Folate supplements should be taken by women of childbearing age and continued throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. It is important for women to take them at these points to help prevent against neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic tissue that forms the brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects are when there are malformations of the brain or spinal cord. The two main neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. Each of these defects begin in the early stages of pregnancy and can be prevented with the use of folate supplements. It is recommended that women of childbearing age consume four hundred micrograms of folate daily. To meet the daily recommended value, women between the ages of fifteen and forty-five years old should eat folate-rich foods, folate-fortified foods, and take a multivitamin each day. Another way one can reach the recommended value is by consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. I think the recommended value for folate is not known. I do think that people are aware, however, of the benefits of folate and are actually using it. Evidence can be seen by the lowered number of neural tube defects each...
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...A Look Into the World of Spina Bifida One in one thousand births are affected by neural tube defects, second most common in humans. Two particular defects include anencephaly and spina bifida, caused by the neural tube’s failure to close early on during the development of the brain and spinal cord. If the neural tube that forms the brain does not close, it is known as anencephaly and this results in the brain forming completely abnormally and the cranium being absent. The results are death at birth. In mice, this defect is known as exencephaly. Which is where Dr. Heather Mcdermid and her research staff base their studies and experiments. Mutation of the gene Cecr2 causes exencephaly in mice in a strain dependent manner. For example a BALB/c strain on a mouse, when mutated, shows exencephaly in 75% of mouse embryos. Studing of the gene Cecr2 and its major modifier, a gene located on chromosome 19, will hopefully add to their field of research and understanding of the mechanisms of normal neurulation and neural tube defects. Dr. Mcdermid went to school at the University of Western Ontario, where she would receive her bachelors of science in zoology; then, due to marriage, Dr. Mcdermid moved to Kingston and through observing a prof of the field, became avidaly interestd in human genetics. Going on to receive her P.H.d. Upon returning to Edmonton Currently engaged in two projects, Dr. Mcdermid and her team are looking at Neural Tube Defects in mice, a lot of different aspects...
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...prenatally with a sonogram or ultrasound. I have done some research online and have looked at some of the images. All seem to have a very distinct abnormality or growth. It is something that with this kind of technology and a good eye and knows what they are looking for, could prevent an embryo from becoming a fetus and then a child that may or may not have a long term disability that could hinder them from being able to take care of themselves or even be mobile at all. I know the article said that they can’t see these abnormities until the 17th and 20th week but when I was pregnant there was a specific test for the, which they do mention, that measured the protein AFP. I do believe they can sometimes find out earlier than mentioned here. Anencephaly is the neural defect that I chose. It is the most interesting a heartbreaking that I have found. This defect is where the baby is born without major parts of its brain. All babies will die shortly after birth. The reason being is the spinal cord will not close all the way and the baby will be born without the front part of his brain. The forebrain is where thinking takes places and the cerebrum is coordination. When these are not there, the brain does not know how to send signals to the heart or lungs to tell them to beat or breath. All involuntary functions stop. A lot of times this can be diagnosed at birth. There are...
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...Anencephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It is a type of neural tube defect; these are birth defects that happen during the first month of pregnancy, and it’s usually before a woman knows she is pregnant. Keywords: N/A Birth Defects: Anencephaly Birth defects are a structural or/and a functional of abnormalities that are present at birth that cause physical or mental disability. They’re the leading cause of death for infants and a fetus during the first year of life, and they can be fatal. Anencephaly is an example of a neural tube defect, a condition that results from an error in the first weeks of embryonic development. The term embryonic development refers to the changes that take...
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...twins, club foot, Enceohalocele, and Anencephaly are all birth defects. They are the birth defects that I’ll be researching and discussing. About 3 in 10,000 pregnancies will have anencephaly (Facts about Anencephaly). Each year about 375 babies in the United States are born with encephalocele (Canfield MA). About 1 in 1,000 babies are born with clubfoot in the United States each year (Clubfoot). Conjoined twins are usually genetically identical. There for, the mother only produces one egg. When the embryo starts to split in the first few weeks it doesn’t complete the process, which results in conjoined twins (Facts About the Twins). Then the partially split egg develops into a conjoined twin. Since conjoined twins are so rare it’s hard to know what the causes are for the egg to stop splitting completely, however, conjoined twins occur more often in Latin American than they do in the United States or Europe (Conjoined Twins). One of the first documented conjoined twins was Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst. They were born in the year 1100, they were joined at the hip, in Biddenden, County of Kent, in England. They lived to be 34 years old (Facts About the Twins). Radica and Doodica Neik were born in Orissa, India, in 1888. They were conjoined with a band of cartilage at their chests. When Doodica developed tuberculosis in 1902 a Paris doctor,...
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...The proteins, vitamins, and minerals that the mother takes in assist in the growth and physical development of the embryo. Folic acid plays an important role in preventing certain defects and congenital abnormalities. This article emphasized the importance of not only proper diets during prenatal development but the addition of folic acid in the first trimester or prior to conception. It mirrors the textbooks discussion of the importance of folic acid and other supplements for proper fetal development and prevention of certain defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly as well as folic acids role in preventing other congenital abnormalities. (Wehby & Murray,...
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...female to make. Any potential offspring that has been conceived may be aborted for various reasons. Complicating medical factors and birth defects, unwanted sexual encounters, and career and non-career wise family planning are all justifiable reasons to support one’s decision to decide to abort the fetus that grows in her body. In the realm of modern medicine, it is quite easy for OB/GYNs and other doctors to determine the health of the child after it has left the womb. In these cases, the opinion of a professional can result in the female having the option to choose abortion to reduce the chances of the child being born with a birth defect, or in some cases, to save the life of the female carrying the baby. According to Richie (2013), anencephaly is a neural tube defect that does not allow for the proper development of the brain. Typically, these babies only have a brain stem, which allows the heart to beat but does not allow for the ability to thrive outside the womb, which doctors have determined to be a major birth defect. If the fetus makes it to term, many of these infants do not live longer than a few hours or days and due to the nature and severity of this birth defect, many physicians will not provide nutritive support as it is believed to be medically futile. When the mother is presented with complicating factors such as an incompetent cervix, this can lead to secondary complications, i.e., fetal septicemia, uterine rupture, and renal failure. Many of these secondary...
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...Case Study 16: Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Chile Abstract Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital malformation to congenital heart disease and affected 400 babies in Chile annually before a fortification legislation was passed to use fortified flour with folic acid. This fortification reduced spina bifida by 51% and anencephaly by 46% (Levine, 2007). Team One will share answers to questions about this study and research of the problem. The globally astute nurse can provide education and become an advocate to continue to reduce these congenital birth defects through improving the health of women and children and thus all humanity. Case Study Sixteen: Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Chile Despite efforts to reduce neural tube defects, more than 300,000 children are born with neural tube defects annually (CDC, 2012). In Chile, fortification with folate reduced birth defects. Public and private partnerships are necessary for the success of ventures to improve healthcare. Fortification with folate in the diet can be replicated, but must be attune to cultural diet and nutrition habits. Global education is a critical link to success in combating disease and especially with neural tube defects. Once leaders are aware and efforts can focus on problems for education, intervention and evaluation, global health can be improved and the sustainability of our people and planet can continue. Question...
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...Layout/Presentation (3m): *correct length *title *coversheet *plagiarism statement Intro (4m0:*brief description of malformation *population frequency *Clearly written *uses references effectively * concise, accurate Normal development (20m): brief description of normal development *Clearly written *concise, accurate *uses diagrams effectively *Technical terms explained in clear manner at the correct level *uses references effectively *no references are weblinks Abnormal development (10m): brief description of cause of malformation *Clearly written *concise, accurate *uses diagrams effectively *Technical terms explained in clear manner at the correct level *uses references effectively * no references are web links Latest research (10m): brief description of underlying cause of malformation OR *brief description of recent experimental data *Clearly written *concise, accurate *Technical terms explained in clear manner at the correct level *clear understanding of concepts well explained * correct use of journal references Additional info (5m): parental diagnosis/prevention Interesting and informative *clearly written * concise, accurate * reliable websites are references Where to find help (3m): list Australian and international organisation websites Australian and at least one overseas organisation listed *all links are valid References (4m): Appropriate references *Cited in text *list correctly in reference list *Referenced diagrams No inappropriate use of internet...
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...Running head: “MY NURSING ETHICS” “My Nursing Ethics” Denise Schooley Grand Canyon University: NRS 437V July 10, 2012 My Nursing Ethics Personal nursing ethics can vary greatly from each individual nurse. The most important factor is that patients are receiving safe, efficient and informed care. There is a privileged relationship between a nurse and their patients. It is crucial that patients feel as though they are part of their care pathway. They must feel safe and informed continuously throughout their need for nursing care. Nurses may not always agree with the decisions that their patients may be making but a nurse’s personal, cultural or spiritual opinion should never get in the way of the care they need to provide. Personal Philosophy Nurses have their own personal, cultural and spiritual values that can and in some situations contribute to their nursing care. A nurse may have a personal opinion on selective induction of labor and may not agree with the patient’s decision. With nurses that work in Women and Infant services they will experience these difficult situations on a regular basis. Spiritual values being either Christian, Catholic or other affiliation will play a role in the nurse’s ethics and moral beliefs. Tertwilliger, M, (2007) “Christians believe it is also the gift God gave women to save humanity”, pg. 1. Within many different religious affiliations and churches an elective terminations is not an acceptable procedure. Nurses may...
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...weakness, junk food. Therefore, I am researching the importance of nutrition and how poor dieting habits can affect a woman’s ongoing pregnancy and could possibly lead to health complications within the infant and childhood obesity. The developing fetus is completely reliant on its mother for its proper nutrient; therefore the value of parental diet is key. During pregnancy, there are recommendations of an increase of several essential nutrients, such as vitamins A, B, C and D and also folic acid. According to the CDC, “folic acid is a B vitamin that can help prevent major birth defects”. Without the intake of folic acid, there is an increase chance of the fetus developing two specific birth defects known as Anencephaly and Spina Bifida. Infants who are born with Anencephaly, an underdeveloped brain and skull, have no survival chances. Spina Bifida chances of survival are more likely to occur, this is a birth defect in which the infant’s spine does not develop properly, and this can result in physical disabilities. “Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder of glucose tolerance affecting 5% to 9% of all U.S. pregnancies” (Gunderson). Many women go most of their life without health complications until pregnancy and the formation of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that only affects pregnant women, which can lead to type two diabetes and an increase risk of childhood obesity. If gestational diabetes is left untreated, it could then...
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...may-more. Some people, may not receive enough from their diet alone. And its deficiency can be treated easily by taking a course of folic acid tablets. As stated by Dettwyler (2008) all people need folic acid, but more important for pregnant women or those who are able to get pregnant. When a woman has enough folic acid, before and during pregnancy, the result of major birth defects in the fetus’s development, which including: Spina bifida and Anencephaly; may be at low risk. In most cases Spina bifida is one form of birth defects called neural tube defects. These defects usually involves the damage to the spine and spinal cord. This takes place when some vertebrae of the spine don't close properly during pregnancy and the spinal cord's nerves are exposed and damaged. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord. This tube normally folds inward and closes by the 28th day after birth. When it fails to closes completely this causes the defects of the spinal cord and vertebrae. Anencephaly also known as “open skull,” is a condition present at birth that affects the formation of a fetus's brain and the skull bones surrounding the head. In which the major parts of the brain, scalp, and skull of the fetus do not form completely during developing in the womb. In most cases the brain lacks part of the cerebrum (the area of the brain that is responsible for thinking, vision, hearing, touch, and movement). And this...
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...There are 3,000 pregnancies affected by spinal bifida or anencephaly, which are neural tube defects (NTDs) caused by the incomplete closing of the spin and skull. Having a healthy pregnancy can later promote a healthy birth. A mother who consuming a healthy dosage of prenatal vitamins before and during pregnancy can help eliminate the chances of a neural tube defect up to 70 percent. Mothers and expecting Mothers should know the importance of taking a complete multivitamin such as a prenatal vitamin. In the beginning stages of conception, the zygote is beginning the development of the spinal cord, nervous system, heart, and lungs. These are all important in the life span of living vertebrates. There are certain things our body needs to ensure...
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...Legal Case Study: A Ouestion of Futllity-Baby K, 832 F. Supp. 1993). 1022(E.D.Va. the In this case, infant girl wasborn with the congenitalmalformation anencephaly which left only her brain stem functioning.This limited function allowed for a conshe tinuation of respirationbut the infant was permanendy unconscious; could not see,or interact with her environment.At birth the physiciansand an institutional ethics committee advisedthe mother that the use of a ventilator that had been put wasfutile and should be withdrawn.The mother into placeawaitinga firm diagnosis the resistedthese recommendationsand, becauseof the disagreement, hospital attempted to have the baby transferredto another hospital.'Whenno comprehensive d to a nursing home. the hospital would acceptthe transfer, infant was m the following the transfer, infant wasreadmittedto the hosoccasions On several pital and given ventilatory support.Although the hospital attempted to resistthese The court deterst provide the services. the courts held that they admissions, mined that to refuse care to the infant would be in violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal statuteconcerning the child abuse, Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 7973, end parental decision-making rights as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. 1. How would you resolvethis dilemma? to is resources it reasonable require the hospitalto provide 2 . In a time of scarce...
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...Title: Patient Information Sheet Assignment Title: • Week 4: Assignment 4 E-mail: belba07@yahoo.com BODY Week 4 Assignment 4 Patient Information Sheet In order for our patients to have a clearer understanding of the amniocentesis method , we have compiled an information sheet defining the step-by-step process. First we will define amniocentesis, it is the placement of a needle through the abdomen, removing a small amount of the amniotic fluid that is in the uterus during pregnancy. It is usually done between the fourth and fifth month. The amnio fluid is tested for anything abnormal about the fetus, such as spina bifida, where the baby is born with the spinal cord outside the body, rH disease, anencephaly, where the baby is born with no brain or spinal cord with open neural tube defects, or other birth defects. At this time it can be told whether the fetus is male or female. Later in the pregnancy, it may be done to learn the age of the fetus. Using ultrasound, the position of the fetus and the location of the umbilical cord can be seen. The skin on the mother's abdomen is cleaned. A local anesthetic is given. A needle attached to a syringe is put into a part of the uterine wall where there is least chance of touching the umbilical wall, or the fetus. Less than 1 ounce of amniotic fluid is removed from the amniotic sac. In testing for birth defects, approximately 2 weeks are needed for the results to come back. We...
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