Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast. My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going

to be talking to you about conditions that arise during pregnancy. And if you want to follow

along with written notes on this topic, you can follow along at zero tofinals.com slash

conditions arising in pregnancy or in the neonatology section of the zero to finals

pediatrics book. So let's jump straight in. There are a number of conditions in neonates

and children that are caused by problems during the pregnancy. Prevention is the best solution to

these problems as once the fetus is affected, the damage

has already been done. Management once they're born depends on the individual difficulties

and involves the multidisciplinary team. Firstly, let's talk about fetal alcohol syndrome.

Alcohol can cross the placenta and enter the fetus where it disrupts the fetal development.

There is no safe level of alcohol in pregnancy and mothers are encouraged not to drink alcohol at all,

however small amounts are less likely to result in lasting effects.

The effects are greatest in the first three months of pregnancy. Alcohol consumption in

early pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, a small baby for their dates, and preterm delivery. Fetal

alcohol syndrome refers to certain effects and characteristics that are found in children of mothers that

consumed significant alcohol during the pregnancy.

And some of these features and characteristics are microcephaly, which is a small head, a thin

upper lip, a smooth, flat philtrum, which is the groove between the nose and the upper lip.

Short palpable fissure, which is the horizontal distance from one side of the eye to the other.

Learning disability, behavioral difficulties, hearing and vision problems, and cerebral palsy.

Next let's talk about congenital rebella syndrome.

Congenital rebella syndrome is caused by maternal infection with rebella during the pregnancy.

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