Teratogens Prenatal Development

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Starting a family can be one of the most exciting things in life. Although it is important to stay healthy and avoid bad habits throughout the entire pregnancy, the first trimester is the critical period when key body structures and organs are developing, and the embryo is susceptible to insult. Interferences such as viruses, infections, and drugs can affect the prenatal development. Although, ninety-seven percent of all babies are born without any serious defects or deficiencies, it can and still does occur. Teratogens are agents that can cause birth defects and other problems. The focus of this essay is the impact teratogens have on prenatal development. To begin, I will discuss what teratogens are. Second, I will discuss examples of teratogens …show more content…
Alcohol is a teratogen that can impact prenatal development at any time during the pregnancy. The central nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord, is very sensitive to alcohol throughout the entire pregnancy. As Skogerbo et al. (2012) states, exposure to low to moderate consumption is correlated to functional and neurodevelopmental deficits and moderate to heavy levels of alcohol consumption is correlated with dysfunctions in the speed and efficiency of information processing, difficulties paying attention, learning and memory, as well as decision-making functions. A condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome is a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Timing and the amount of alcohol consumed, as well as other factors, is related to the risk of developing fetal alcohol syndrome (Abel and Hannigan, 1995). A mother who drinks alcohol more in a week and sustained drinking throughout the entire pregnancy substantially increases the risk of having a baby with FAS. Characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome are: prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, physical abnormalities, behavior problems, and intellectual …show more content…
It also increases the possibility of developmental and behavioral deficits. Blood flow is the only way for a fetus to get oxygen; nicotine shrinks the blood vessels creating less blood flow to the baby which results in low oxygen. A lack of oxygen to the fetus can lead to premature birth and low birth weight. According to Apgar and Beck (1982), premature babies that are closer to normal birth weight can result in subtle learning and behavior problems whereas premature babies with low birth weight can result in severe retardation, blindness, loss of hearing, and even
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