Question: My two webbed toes are inherited from my great grandmother (my mom`s grandmother). I want to know when this might occur again in my family, and if my children have a chance to inherit them also. I have two brothers. Could their children have them, too? The toes that are webbed together are the two t . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. A question similar to yours has been previously addressed. The links below will connect you to that information. NetWellness may also have some general information available that you can access through our Ask an Expert: NetWellness Staff ., Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects View full article

If Siblings Marry, Risk of Genetic Disorders

Question: My best friend wants to marry his biological sister. What is the risk their children will have genetic disorder?

Answer:

The closer the biological relationship between parents, the greater the chance that any children they have will inherit identical copies of one or more disease-causing recessive genes. Because we all carry some recessive genes that could cause genetic diseases - if we marry a close relative, ther . . .

Ask an Expert: Anne Matthews RN, PhD, Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects View full article

Balanced Translocation in Chromosomes 3 &15

Question: My husband has a Balanced Translocation of the Chromosomes #3 and #15. We had our son tested and he tested negative for a Balanced Translocation and Unbalanced translocation. My son has the dysmorphic looks, Autism, mild retardation, ears that stick out, which I hear are common with a Balanced Trans . . .

Answer:

You ask some excellent questions. As you probably know, chromosome translocations occurs when two pieces of chromosomes break off and switch places with each other. If all the chromosomal material is present, but rearranged - that is, switched places (translocated) - it is called a balanced trans . . .

Ask an Expert: Anne Matthews RN, PhD, Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects View full article

STDs and Birth Defects

Question: I am currently a 10th grader doing a research paper on the Surgeon General`s 10 leading health indicators. My topic is on responsible sexual behavior. I would like to know how do STDs affect the body and cause birth defects?

Answer: About 2-4% of babies are born with a birth defect (congenital malformation). Causes of birth defects such as chromosomal abnormalities and mutations in specific genes cause many of these, but about 10% of birth defects are due to teratogens. A teratogen is any drug, chemical, physical agent, materna . . .

Ask an Expert: Anne Matthews RN, PhD, Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects View full article

Poland Syndrome

Question: Hello, I would like to ask you for Possibilities in Poland syndrome treatment. I heard about possibility that other muscles can be used (latissimus dorsi), or breast implant(Becker implant etc.), own fat from buttocks, or Macrolane. What is please the best solution in your opinion for Man,28 years o . . .

Answer:

Thank you for visiting NetWellness. This is not an area of my expertise so I am unable to answer your question.  Unfortunately we do not have an expert who answers the questions that you are asking about.  The most appropriate person to discus . . .

Ask an Expert: Anne Matthews RN, PhD, Inherited Disorders and Birth Defects View full article