Preconception prevention of hereditary diseases and defects

Planned parenthood - it is not only about planning the number and time of birth of offspring, but also about creating conditions for their healthy development. The following principles apply here.

Protection against mutagens

 * Until the implementation of the reproductive plan;
 * do not postpone reproduction for too long, 'with age the risk of mutations increases:
 * in women, the risk of impairment of the fetus by chromosomal aberrations;
 * in men by point mutations'.

Protection against teratogens

 * During pregnancy;
 * organogenesis begins in the 5th week after the last menses, i.e. in the 3rd week after fertilization; histogenesis continues until the end of pregnancy.
 * teratogenic effects include:
 * infection (Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpesvirus);
 * chemical substances - alcohol, some medicines, drugs, etc.;
 * ionizing radiation - up to therapeutic doses are highly teratogenic.

Favorable health condition of the mother

 * The mother's organism forms the environment for the development of the fetus throughout the pregnancy.
 * Maternal illnesses and their treatment can seriously endanger the development of the fetus.

Gynecological examination and correction of all detected deviations

 * Gynecological preconception care reduces the risk of spontaneous abortions, polygenically inherited defects and congenital defects caused by de novo chromosomal mutations.

Vitamin Screen

 * Administration of folic acid (5–10 mg/day) and vitamin C (500 mg/day) in the preconception period has a proven beneficial effect on fetal development.
 * Vitamin C = antioxidant (prevention of mutations and teratogenesis); folic acid = coenzyme in the DNA repair enzyme system.

Related Articles

 * Postnatal prevention of hereditary diseases
 * Prenatal diagnosis
 * Congenital developmental defects
 * Teratogens