Physiological Adaptation Q 35

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A primigravida, age 42, is 6 weeks pregnant. Based on the client’s age, her infant is at risk for:

  

     A. Down syndrome

     B. Respiratory distress syndrome

     C. Turner’s syndrome

     D. Pathological jaundice

    

    

Correct Answer: A. Down syndrome

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The client who is age 42 is at risk for fetal anomalies such as Down syndrome and other chromosomal aberrations. The risk of chromosome abnormalities is higher. Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome.

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Option B: Risk factors for respiratory distress syndrome include prematurity, maternal diabetes, cesarean delivery, and asphyxia. The mother will more likely have a low birth weight baby and a premature birth. Premature babies, especially those born earliest, often have complicated medical problems.

Option C: Turner’s syndrome is a genetic disorder. Turner syndrome results from a deletion or the non-functioning of one X chromosome in females. About half of the population with Turner syndrome have monosomy X (45,XO). The other 50% of the population has a mosaic chromosomal component (45,X with mosaicism).

Option D: Premature infants are at most risk for pathological jaundice because they develop higher levels of bilirubin. The risk of pregnancy loss — by miscarriage and stillbirth — increases as you get older, perhaps due to pre-existing medical conditions or fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Research suggests that the decrease in the quality of your eggs, combined with an increased risk of chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, could increase your risk of miscarriage. Ask your health care provider about monitoring your baby’s well-being during the last weeks of pregnancy.

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