2.1.2 (3 - risk + protective factors) Flashcards
Risk factors
Something that increases the likelihood of developing disease or injury.
Maternal smoking
Tobacco smoke - reduces oxygen supply + blood flow to foetus via placenta.
Nicotine
Increase foetus heart rate + decrease ability to practice breathing movements required after birth.
- Increase risk of low BW, ectopic pregnancy, premature brith, etc.
Alcohol during pregnancy
- Can limit fertility
- Can cause significant harm to the unborn child as it crosses the placenta from the mother’s blood to baby’s.
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Describes a range of features seen by babies who have been exposed to alcohol when in the womb.
Maternal diet - foods containing listeria
Can increase risk of miscarriage, still-birth, premature birth.
- Soft-serve ice-cream, unpasteurised soft cheeses, pre-cooked or prepared foods, raw seafood, deli meats.
Maternal diet - foods containing high levels of mercury
Can put baby at higher risk of delayed development in early years.
- Some fish.
Protective factors
Something that enhances the likelihood of a positive H+WB outcome + lessens the likelihood of a negative H+WB outcome.
Immunisation
Woman planning to get pregant should ensures fully vaccinated against chicken pox, mumps, measles, influenza, rebella.
- If mother gets these while pregnant there is increase risk of prenatal dev abnormalities.
Maternal diet - folate fortified food consumption
Vitamin B/folate - found in leafy green veg, cereals, fruits, + grains.
- Folid acide (synthetic form of folate) added to certain foods to protect against neural tube defects (eg. spina bifida).
Neural tube defects
When the neural tube does not close completely - neural tube is casing that encloses brain + spinal cord during embryonic stage (edges fuse together in 3rd week).
