Question: Is it possible to diagnose congenital anomalies in a fetus?
Yes. The most reliable method of diagnosis is to examine a sample of fluid from the amniotic sac, sometime between the fifteenth and eighteenth week of pregnancy. The sample is obtained by amniocentesis. Microscopic examination of the cells in the fluid then reveals possible abnormalities in the chromosomes. Congenital anomalies that can be diagnosed in this way include Down’s syndrome, spina bifida, and anencephaly. Sometimes, the diagnostic use of ultrasound can detect abnormalities of the skull or spine.
Question: Can congenital anomalies be treated?
Treatment depends entirely on the nature and severity of the condition. Many anomalies can be treated, but for some there is no treatment.
Question: In what circumstances might abortion be considered?
Abortion might be considered if serious fetal disorders are found early in a pregnancy. The decision to abort rests with the parents and is made after considering the advice of the physician and specialists on the nature of the disorder and the consequences of abortion.
Question: Are congenital anomalies more likely to occur in first-born babies?
No. Statistics disprove this commonly held belief.
Question: Does a congenital anomaly in a baby indicate that subsequent babies will be similarly affected?
Genetic counseling deals with such questions. In many cases it is possible to state risks numerically. For example, a baby with congenital heart disease is likely to be followed by a similarly affected child in 2 percent of pregnancies instead of the ordinary risk of one percent. Spina bifida occurs in about 1 child in every 1,500, but if a previous child was born with the condition, there is about a 1-in-20 to 1-in-50 chance that it will occur in a later child.
