Fetus Risk Factors

While most pregnancies yield healthy babies, there are things that can put a fetus at risk. Prior pregnancies, genetics and outside factors can cause the fetus to be at a higher risk for complications and death.

Age of Mother

A mother who is older than age 35 is at a higher risk for having a fetus with health complications. The older a mother is, the higher the risk is for the fetus to have chromosomal abnormalities.

Health

A mother who has health problems increases the risk to the fetus. Being overweight can cause the mother to develop gestational diabetes, which can cause the fetus to develop macrosomia, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Prior Pregnancies

Prior pregnancies puts the fetus at a higher risk. If a mother has a history of miscarriages, the fetus is considered at risk. A fetus is also at risk if the mother has had more than five prior pregnancies.

Genetics

If a family has a history of mental retardation or chromosomal anomalies, the fetus is considered at risk for inheriting these problems.

Outside Factors

Outside factors such as drugs and alcohol put a fetus at risk. Drugs and alcohol can stunt the growth of the fetus, cause it to be born prematurely or cause it to be born stillborn.

References

• Frequency of Down Syndrome Per Maternal Age
• Gestational Diabetes
• Genetics, Birth Disorders and Pregnancy