Background:
With the development of social economy and the improvement of women's independent consciousness, the phenomenon of elder childbearing (meaning over 35 years old) is gradually increasing. However, the elderly childbearing also brings a series of genetic risks, because the growth of female age will lead to the decline of egg quality, thus increasing the risk of some genetic diseases at birth. Therefore, it is very important for women who have given birth at an advanced age to be alert to genetic diseases.
Common genetic diseases:
The common genetic diseases that the elderly women who have children should be aware of include Down's syndrome, congenital heart disease and neural tube defects. The first is Down syndrome, which is due to fetal chromosome abnormalities, generally trisomy syndrome, and the patient's performance is mental retardation, abnormal facial features, etc. The second is congenital heart disease, which is a group of heart structural abnormalities formed in the fetal period, which may cause cardiac dysfunction. Finally, there are neural tube defects, including spina bifida and cerebrospinal canal insufficiency, which will lead to the development of nervous system disorders.
For women who have given birth at an advanced age, knowing the risk of these common genetic diseases, gene testing can be carried out before pregnancy, so as to find out as soon as possible and take relevant prevention and treatment measures.
Genetic risk factors:
Older childbearing increases the risk of certain genetic diseases in babies. First of all, the decline in egg quality after the age of 35 may lead to chromosomal abnormalities, for example, the incidence of Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. Secondly, the changes in the uterine environment and endocrine environment of elderly women may also have adverse effects on embryonic development. In addition, the family history of genetic diseases is also an important risk factor for disease.
In the face of these risks, the elderly women who have given birth should pay attention to avoid continuing to postpone their childbearing age, adjust their lifestyle, maintain a healthy physical state and mentality, and actively carry out genetic counseling and testing.
Prevention and treatment of genetic diseases:
It is very important for the elderly women to understand the prevention and treatment of common genetic diseases. First, genetic counseling and genetic testing should be carried out in advance in order to understand the risk of self and family genetic diseases. Secondly, maintain health and reduce the risk of genetic diseases through reasonable lifestyle and nutrition supplement. In addition, for families already suffering from genetic diseases, the risk of transmission of genetic diseases can be reduced by means of genetic counseling before childbearing age and assisted reproductive technology.
During pregnancy, the elderly women who have given birth should carry out comprehensive prenatal examination and prenatal screening, as well as regular reexamination, so as to find the abnormal situation of the fetus in time for early treatment or selective termination of pregnancy. In addition, after the baby is born, it is also necessary to carry out neonatal disease screening in time to ensure the health of the baby.
Summary:
The genetic risk brought by the elderly childbearing is a problem that requires the elderly childbearing women to attach great importance to. Common genetic diseases include Down syndrome, congenital heart disease and neural tube defects. The main factors affecting the genetic risk of elderly women with childbearing include age, changes in uterine and endocrine environments, and family history of genetic diseases. The methods to prevent and treat genetic diseases include genetic counseling and gene testing, reasonable lifestyle and nutrition supplementation, as well as prenatal examination and screening. By taking appropriate measures, we can reduce the risk of genetic disease babies for elderly women who have children.
