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After completion of the minor:
1. You will be able to describe and recognize the pathogenesis of specific congenital malformations by applying your (acquired) knowledge on the development of human organ systems.
2. You will be familiar with the disciplines that are involved in research and care of fetuses and children with birth defects (epidemiology, gynaecology, human genetics, neonatology, paediatrics) and will be able to discuss the possibilities, problems and ethical concerns of genetic counseling, prenatal screening, and diagnosis and treatment of children with birth defects.
3. You will be able to describe and recognize the adverse or beneficial effects of several environmental factors (e.g. lifestyle factors, medication, and nutrition) prior to and during specific parts of pregnancy on human reproduction and embryonic and fetal development.
4. You will be able to determine the strengths and weaknesses of scientific articles related to human embryology and the occurrence of birth defects or other reproductive disorders and to provide suggestions for future studies.
5. You will be able to design a study in the field of reproductive epidemiology and/or clinical consequences of birth defects on the patient or population level.
6. You will be able to place a specific birth defect and its treatment in the context of the patient with this birth defect and/or the parents.
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If you are fascinated by the complex process that leads from just two cells to the development of a complete human being and would like to know more about the causes and clinical aspects of birth defects, you will like this minor. It will enhance your knowledge of embryonic and fetal development of all major organ systems of the human body and will show you the variety of birth defects in these organ systems. In addition, you will get familiar with research and care involved in pregnancies complicated by birth defects and in children with birth defects. Clinical aspects, such as prenatal screening, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and ethical issues will be addressed and discussed with clinicians working in the field. You will also acquire knowledge on the influence of several non-genetic / environmental risk factors, such as smoking or medication use during pregnancy, on embryonic and fetal development. You will apply your knowledge and skills acquired during the minor by developing a research proposal, and literature related to your topic will be discussed in a small journal club. Finally, you will get the chance to meet and collaborate with patients with a birth defect or their parents to get familiar with the social and emotional context of these disorders. During the minor, you will work individually or in small groups on different projects.
Birth defects are important causes of chronic illness and disability and even prenatal or childhood mortality, whereas some birth defects may be prevented by vaccination, changes in lifestyle habits or medication, adequate food intake and/or adequate antenatal care. This minor provides insight into the work of the epidemiologist, gynaecologist, clinical geneticist, neonatologist, paediatrician, developmental biologist and others concerned with causes and consequences of birth defects and clinical care of patients with a birth defect and insight into the lives of patients with birth defects and their parents.
Key words
Birth defects, Embryology, Epidemiology, Fetal development, Neonatal care, Reproduction.
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