Hazards to the Foetus Flashcards
What is alcohol consumption associated with?
1st trimester = dysmorphology and miscarriage
2nd = IUD
3rd = IUGR
What effect does Nicotine have on the body?
- Vasoconstrictor
- Causes delay in LH surge which can stop ovulation/ diminish follicular size = increased risk of miscarriage
What effect does carbon monoxide have on the body?
- Foetal levels are 10-15% higher than the mother
- Associated with foetal hypoxia
What are the increased risks when pregnant women smoke heavily?
- Stillbirth
- Prematurity
- Late abortion
- Abnormalities
- IUGR
- Infertility
- SIDS
What effect does smoking have on the placenta?
- Larger, thinner and abnormal
- Increased risk of placental abruption and placenta praevia
What are mutagens?
- Produced by proteins heated above 100 degrees (e.g. deep fried roast meat)
- Disrupt genetic material of cells
How can mutagens be counteracted?
- Anti-mutagens (e.g. chlorophyll, vit E, unprocessed olive/sunflower oil)
- Diet high in fruit, beg and salad
What paternal habits can affect the foetus?
- Smoking and alcohol consumption is associated with sperm malformations
- This causes an increased risk of miscarriage and poor perinatal outcomes
What affects the quality of sperm?
- Lack of folic acid and vit B can reduce sperm count
- Excess zinc, iodine and vit A can cause mutations
Give some environmental toxins
- Lead
- Mercury
- Solvents
- Pesticides
- CO
- Anaesthetic gases
- X-rays
- Microwaves
What risks are increased by exposure to lead?
- Abnormal sperm
- Spontaneous abortion
- Stillbirth
- Mental retardation
What risks are increased by exposure to mercury?
Impaired foetal motor and mental development
What risks are increased by exposure to solvents?
Birth defects
What risks are increased by exposure to pesticides?
- Birth defects
- Abortion
What risks are increased by exposure to CO?
- LBW
- Stillbirth
