Patient's question:
I'm only three months pregnant now. Because I used to have miscarriages before, I'm very worried that the baby might have health problems. I want to have a thorough check-up to see if there are any abnormalities or intellectual disabilities. How many months can it be detected?Doctor's answer:
Fetal malformations primarily occur during the early stages of pregnancy because this is the period when fetal organs are being formed and are susceptible to abnormalities caused by external factors.Week 3-8: This is the period of division and growth and development of the fetus's main organs. It is highly sensitive to external factors. It is easily affected by external influences and abnormal organ growth and development. The most severe malformations occur during this period.
After week 9, only the brain, external genitalia, teeth, and upper palate are not fully divided and are not sensitive to external teratogenic factors. If affected, the main causes are mental retardation, external genitalia malformations, or dysfunction of organ alliances.