Environmental Influences on Human Development Flashcards
Toxic or infectious insults occurring in the first few weeks of development are likely to be
Fatal
States that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or environment, even in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof that it is NOT HARMFUL falls on those taking action, such as the introduction of a chemical or a pharmaceutical
Precautionary Principle
What are three highly potent xenobiotic teratogens?
- ) Alcohol
- ) Cocaine
- ) Smoking
Begins to form in week three an is particularly vulnerable up to week 8 or 10
Heart
Rubella infection between weeks 3-8 of embryonic development results in
Cardiac defects
Can lead to cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and deafness
Rubella infection during pregnancy
Points in development at which an insult (pharmaceutical, toxic, or infectious) may have a specific, profound impact on certain targets that are vulnerable at that time
“Critical periods” or “Sensitive Windows”
Teratogenesis is defined as
Birth defects
Two of the most pervasive in utero toxicants are
Tobacco smoking and alcohol
Are among the most important child health problems in the US
Developmental disabilities
What precentge of children have some developmental disability
17%
What percentage of children have ADHD?
3-7%
About 7-12/1,000 children have some form of
Autism spectrum disorder
Occur in a complex context shaped by genetic determination or predilection (susceptibility), social circumstances, and personal lifestyles
Environmental exposures
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless or race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies
Environmental Justice
The process resulting in defects apparent at birth due to some interference with normal development
Teratogenesis
Agents that have been identified to cause birth defects such as Rubella, alcohol, mercury, lead, etc are called
Teratogens
A vitamin that is not manufactured in the body and must be consumed in the diet. It is associated with anemia in adults
Folic acid
During fetal development, folic acid deficiency has been associated with a spectrum of neural tube defects such as
Spina bifida
The extreme case of folic acid deficiency during pregnancy is
Anencephaly
When is the vulnerable period for folic acid deficiency in pregnancy?
-when the neural tube is forming and then closing
First trimester
At birth, small skull circumference and flattened skull are evidence of this severe, usually fatal defect
Anencephaly
Should be taken as a supplement before and during pregnancy
Folic acid
What percentage of developmental defects in man are thought to be caused by drugs and environmental chemicals?
4-5%
Relative teratogenicity is influenced by
Maternal factors
Developmental defects increase with frequency and degree as a function of
Fetal dose of teratogen
Teratogenic susceptibility is greatest during
Organogenesis
What is one example of a human condition that was not predicted by animal studies?
Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)
Animal studies predicted some but not all
Thalidomide toxicity
A drug used to prevent miscarriage
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
In the case of diethylstilbestrol (DES), animal studies did not show
Vaginal legions in F1 offspring
What does the acronym TORCH stand for?
T = Toxoplasma O = Other (Zika, chicken pox, syphillis, etc) R = Rubella C = Cytomegalic virus H = Herpes
Most cause mild maternal morbidity, but have serious fetal consequences
TORCH infections
The treatment of maternal TORCH infection typically has no impact on
Fetal outcome
What are two examples of fetal outcomes from TORCH infections?
Microcephaly and mental retardation
What is the critical window for Rubella and Zika?
3-16 weeks
Caused by the togovirus and generally show mild flu-like symptoms + rash in children
Rubella (German measles)
The incubation period for Rubella is
2-3 weeks
When Rubella occurs during pregnancy, the highest risk percentage for developing Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is during the
1st trimester (50-90% results in CRS)
What percentage of Rubella infection during the 2nd trimester results in CRS?
25%