A Fetal Organ That Is Vital For The Growth Of The Fetus...

Project Background (500 words) The placenta is a fetal organ that is vital for the growth of the fetus during pregnancy. Abnormalities in placental development can result in pregnancy complications such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre-eclampsia (PE), which affect one in ten pregnancies in New Zealand. IUGR occurs in 3-5% of all pregnancies, and is associated with an assortment of increased risks of its own, such as hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, developmental delays and increased risk of infection. Despite its prevalence, we currently have no effective treatment for IUGR other than close monitoring and premature delivery of the baby. Worldwide, 10% of neonatal mortality can be put down to prematurity, but the risks do not stop there – respiratory problems, feeding difficulties, and neurological problems also increase in incidence as gestational age at delivery decreases. Furthermore, IUGR babies are at an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, obesity and type II diabetes in adulthood, diseases which the health system is currently plagued with. Together, these issues place a considerable burden on healthcare providers in both the short and long term to the cost of up to $300 000 NZD per child, along with an intangible cost to the families of the children. However, despite the significance of this problem, our knowledge of the pathophysiology leading to IUGR is limited, and so developing effective treatments for IUGR has been exceptionallyShow MoreRelatedFetal Alcoho l Syndrome Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can happen to children whose mothers drank sufficient amounts of alcohol sometime throughout their pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition classified in a group called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and is the most known and severe of the group. 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