The Genetics network in Las Tunas joins the prevention actions for the World Day of Congenital Defects; this time it is expanding its reach through digital platforms with important messages to raise awareness about this health problem.
Las Tunas.- Thus, they call women of reproductive age to consult a genetic counselor, who can provide accurate information on the ideal body weight for pregnancy and other issues related to nutritional status, as well as medications that increase the risk of malformations in the fetus and others that decrease it, such as folic acid.
Likewise, they warn that congenital anomalies, along with mental retardation and intrauterine growth failure (CIUR), make up Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), characterized by multiple alterations in different organ systems. To prevent it, it is essential that none of the members of the couple consume alcohol if they decide to have children. Likewise, they warn about the need to be free of tobacco smoke and "stay away from people who smoke.”
"High blood glucose, before and during pregnancy, increases the probability of malformations in the fetus. It is the cause of congenital heart disease and neural tube (nervous system) defects more frequently. It is also associated with pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, preterm childbirth, delay in the growth of the fetus," one of the publications refers.
According to statistics, last year just over 6,300 women were evaluated here in the Genetics Service; 61 percent of them presented some risk factor. 4,858 pregnant women were also evaluated, and 71 percent had an increased genetic risk. By ultrasound, 78 congenital defects were diagnosed, 37 incompatible with life and 32 couples decided to interrupt the pregnancy.
Infant mortality from this cause was 0.4 per thousand live births, the lowest-ever indicator and lower than the national average.
In the province, health personnel linked to these issues not only frame their work in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, but also in prevention activities.
Here are talks in the Primary Health Care itself and initiatives such as the Campaign for Reproductive Health in work centers and students, aimed at women and men, as both determine the health of the future baby.
Given the complex epidemiological situation that the country is experiencing with the COVID-19, the genetics network has not stopped and also finds another space in social media for the socialization of content. "Everyone and now to prevent congenital defects", can be read in several of the posts, which seek to join forces in favor of the well-being of our children, families and society in general.
