Genetic and Chronic Health Conditions and Prematurity

Genetic Conditions

Genetic conditions and syndromes are transmitted through DNA. Genetic code errors or mutations are expressed in the form of genetic disorders.[17] Not all genetic disorders are hereditary, but in some cases, the parent passes the faulty gene to the developing infant. Some of the most common genetic conditions and syndromes are Down syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Triple X Syndrome, William’s Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and neural tube defects.

Genetic conditions pose significant risks to child physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Children with genetic conditions may experience delays in development or may fail to reach typical developmental milestones altogether. However, even with genetic risk factors, early development is influenced by the quality of relationships children have with their parents/caregivers. As with all infants/toddlers, when parent/caregivers provide quality, developmentally appropriate inputs and ensure their children receive therapeutic interventions; children with genetic conditions may achieve significant developmental gains. Because genetic code is passed through generations, genetic family history and ethnic origin play a part in which genes mutate and how they are transferred from person to person.18] Ethnicity is one factor that impacts the probability of having a genetic condition or disorder. The risk of developing a genetic disorder or disease is highly individualized.[19]

Chronic Health Conditions

A chronic health condition is a health problem that lasts over three months, affects a child’s normal activities, and requires multiple hospitalizations and/ or extensive medical care.

Chronic medical conditions and repeated illnesses pose risks to infant physical health, as well as impact later psychosocial development. Children with chronic illnesses are more likely to have frequent doctor and hospital visits with treatments that can be painful or scary. They may feel "different" from other children or feel angry or confused about those differences. Their activities may be limited. The effects of these conditions can continue well into adulthood, impacting academics and employment security, for example.[20]

These conditions are considered risk factors in part because of the impact they have on children’s relationships and what they require of parent/caregivers. Children with medical conditions have more needs than typically developing children. This means children need more care, which has greater financial demands, and requires more of the parent/caregivers’ time. Limited access to medical care or being uninsured,[21] parent/caregivers lack of knowledge on how to help their children, or the stress of being a single parent/caregiver of a child with a chronic illness can exacerbate the responses parent/caregiver give to their children.

Prematurity

Prematurity is one of the most significant risks on infants’ development. Gestation is the prenatal period between conception and birth and typically lasts about 40 weeks. When babies are born at less than 37 weeks gestation, they are considered premature. Preterm infants are typically slower to meet physical milestones such as sitting, crawling and walking, and have a greater risk for physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, respiratory problems, vision, and hearing problems. Preterm infants, especially those born before 30 weeks are much more likely to have injury to their brain, which may result in learning disabilities, and attention challenges, behavioral or academic difficulties. Babies can be born prematurely even when mothers follow a healthy lifestyle. Some conditions, such as preterm labor including diabetes, heart disease, infection, poor nutrition, preeclampsia (development of high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy), or premature rupture of the membranes known as placenta previa can result in premature birth.

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