Many parts of the body are affected by Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Infants affected with this syndrome are considerably larger than normal. Technically, it is referred to as macrosomia. Beckwith-Wiedemann is classified as an overgrowth syndrome. Children who are diagnosed with this syndrome continue to grow and gain weight at an unusual rate during childhood. By the time these children reach the age of eight years, their growth begins to slow down. As they reach adulthood, their height should be comparable... more

Are you considering adopting a premature infant? Women having a normal pregnancy can delivery prematurely; but some types of drug abuse commonly cause premature birth. A new study indicates that the side effects of premature birth last long after a baby leaves the neonatal intensive care unit. Other studies have focused on the immediate risks of premature birth where this study focused on adult life of premature children. Premature birth is defined as delivery that occurs before 38 weeks of gestation. In... more

There are certain gene mutations that predispose a person to cancer. Through the miracle of modern medicine, genetic testing is available to identify gene mutations that may lead to cancer. A person armed with information about being predisposed to developing cancer can take preventative measures in some cases to prevent its development. If you have an adopted child without much medical history, then genetic testing may help answer some of your questions. For example, women with a harmful mutation in the BRCA1... more

Several years ago, before we matched with Amigrace’s birthmother, we tried to adopt a new born with Cystic fibrosis. We did quite a bit of research on this life threatening disorder and even found out where our local support groups met. We understood that the disease causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies but we were committed. Therefore, we were quite disappointed when another family was chosen to adopt the baby girl. However, God had another plan for us so that one wasn’t meant to be. Sometimes that is hard... more

This article, After DNA Diagnosis: ‘Hello, 16p11.2. Are You Just Like Me?’ in Friday’s New York Times tells the stories of several families who have had genetic testing done that pinpoints their children’s exact chromosomal variations causing their children’s disabilities.

It’s exciting that technology now enables us to scan all 46 chromosomes through a simple (but expensive) blood test and identify the exact variation, additions or deletions to the DNA chain. These... more

Spina bifida is one of the most common disabling birth defects in the United States. It is a major birth defect of the baby's spine occurring when the spine and bones of the back do not completely during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Because they are not closed all the way, the spinal cord and bones of the back do not form, as they should. Instead, a sac of fluid protrudes through an opening in the baby's back. Quite often part of the spinal cord is damaged and in the protruding sac.

While children... more