Effects of prenatal teratogens Flashcards
What is a teratogen?
“monstrosity making”: environmental substances and agents that can harm the developing fetus. The physical and social and cultural context of the mother can be considered teratogens (for ex, if mother is stressed by marital conflict will affect fetus)
-teratogens can pass through the placental barrier (for ex: some drugs and other chemicals, disease organisms, and radioactivity).
Legal and illegal drugs: effects of alcohol
Great variability in outcome. may include distinct facial structure, cardiac, skeletal, and urogenital abnormalities; dental abnormalities, growth deficiencies, metacognitive deficits, attentional probs, social perception probs, language deficits, and other learning probs. No safe dosage during pregnancy.
Legal and illegal drugs: effects of tobacco
Low birth weight due to constricted blood flow and reduced nutrition; prematurityl respiratory probs, cleft palate; learning probs, hyperactivity, disruptive behavior. No safe dosage during pregnancy.
Legal and illegal drugs: effects of cocaine
Prematurity or stillbirth, low birth weight, drug withdrawal after birth including irritability, restlessness, tremors, medically and psychologically fragile; higher rates of later learning probs and ADHD. No safe dosage during pregnancy.
Legal and illegal drugs: effects of marijuana
Less well studied; some data to link its use to neurological effects; low birth weight, learning probs, etc. No safe dosage during pregnancy.
Infections: AIDS
transmitted through contact w/ maternal blood via the placenta or at delivery. Causes damage to immune system, facial abnormalities, growth problems, brain disorders, developmental delays; usually fatal.
Environmental Hazards: Lead
Prematurity, low birth weight, brain damage, mental retardation, physical deformities
Environmental Hazards: PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
low birth weight, cognitive impairments
