Chapter 18 - Deveolpment Of A Human Foetus Flashcards
What are congenital disorders?
Defects or diseases that are present at birth.
What are two factors that can influence congenital disorders?
Environmental factors
- if a pregnant woman smokes, drinks, takes drugs or suffers dietary deficiencies the foetus may be affected
- can change the way genes form AND/OR are expressed
Agents
- teratogenic agents
- some hormones, antibodies, oral coagulants, anti-tumour drugs, thyroid drugs and marijuana.
- affected babies are often born with convulsions, intellectual disabilities and brain damage.
- the embryonic stages are more vulnerable then the foetal stages
What are epigenetics?
Environmental factors that change the way a gene is expressed and is passed on to future generations.
What are 5 causes of congenital disorders?
- infections
- diet
- alcohol
- drugs
- chemicals
What are 3 super foods required in a maternal diet?
- Folic acid - essential for healthy cell division and manufacture of protein. Lack of folic acid can cause Spina bifida (the arch of the vertebrae that doesn’t develop)
- whole grain breads and cereals, green leafy vegetables and legumes. - Calcium - healthy bone development
- milk - Vitamin A - healthy cell development and growth rate
- green and yellow vegetables
What must pregnant woman avoid eating?
- listeria infection/ bacterium (causes miscarriage and still births)
- soft cheeses, pâté, pre-packaged salads, salad bars, raw or smoked seafood.
What does FAS stand for? (In terms or alcohol consumption)
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
- slow growth before and after birth, a small head, irregularities of the face, malformed arms and legs, heart malformations and mental retardation.
- the baby may also experience behavioural problems
What are 4 problems children who’s mothers smoke often face?
- gastrointestinal problems
- bronchitis
- pneumonia
- SIDS - sudden infant death syndrome
What is thalidomide?
- A chemical sold in 1960’s
- believed to alleviate morning sickness and sleep deficiency
- affects the embryonic between the 28th and 42nd day of development, when legs and arms are forming.
- heroin and LSD may also cause issues
What are 3 techniques/methods that can diagnose foetal health?
- ultra sounds
- chromosome analysis
- fetoscopy
What is an ultrasound?
- inaudible, high frequency sound waves that produce an image of the foetus
- reflected by the foetal tissues to obtain a visual echo of the baby
- malformations of the brain, head and limbs can be detected.
What is amniocentesis?
Chromosome analysis
Amniocentesis
- 16th to 20th weeks of pregnancy
- analysation of 10-20mls of amniotic fluid
- cells of the foetus float around in the amniotic fluid
- high risk of infection
- can detect Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and Spina bifida
What is Chronic villus sampling?
Chromosome analysis
- obtains cells from the chorion
- can be done during 9-19 weeks of pregnancy
- quicker than amniocentesis but involves a 2% chance of miscarriage
What is rubella?
- Rubella is a highly contagious but mild infection/disease.
- targets school aged children
- if a pregnant woman contracts it can be fatal to the baby
- the baby may be born deaf, blind or suffer with heart malformations
- a vaccine recommended is MMR - measles, mumps and rubella
What is a fetoscopy?
- looking directly at the foetus through a small, telescope-like instrument
- introduced into the uterus through the abdominal wall
- examines the outward appearance of the foetus
