Prenatal Development Flashcards
What are the four broad stages of life?
- Prenatal development
- Childhood
- Adolescence
- Adulthood
What are the two main themes when looking at human development? Define development
- transitions (between stages of development)
- Continuity (between transitions/stages)
D: a sequence of age-related changes that occur throughout life
Define prenatal development
From conception to birth. Rapid period of development that tapers off in weeks before birth
What are the three stages of prenatal development? How long do they last?
- Germinal (2 weeks)
- Embryonic (2 weeks - 2 months)
- Fetal (2 months - birth)
Give a high level overview of the germinal stage. What process occurs?
- Zygote created through fertilization
- Cells multiply rapidly
- Fallopian tube to uterine cavity (attaches to wall)
- Implantation process: placenta formed and feeds zygote
At what point do most pregnancies end before the woman notices?
germinal stage. Very delicate
Give a high level overview of the embryonic stage
- called embryo
- most organs (heart, brain, spine) and spine form
- cell division becomes specialized, starts to look human
When are damage/disruptions most damaging? What is one factor for miscarriages?
Embryonic stage: most miscarriages, birth defects, genetic abnormalities (which will be expelled as miscarriages)
Give a high level overview of the fetal stage
Skeleton hardens, capable of physical movement
- sex organs, brain develops
- organ systems mature
- prepare for outside world
What is the age of viability?
minimum age of development that a fetus can survive premature birth (22-26 weeks)
-slim chances at 22 weeks, increases to 67% at 25w
Give a high level overview of how sex is determined. When during this is sex determined?
Egg: x C
Sperm X or Y C
Sexless until week 6.
2nd half of week six: hormonal changes in Y C, can become male
What is SRY and how does it determine sex? How can it backfire?
Sex-determining Region of Y (C): when activated will make XY (male). Sometimes misfires, so born a female with XY C
What will a woman with XY chromosomes be like?
Outwardly female, but will be sterile. Only detectable in puberty (and only through testing)
Why does schizophrenia have a higher rate among men?
SRY involved in dopamine creation which is linked to schizophrenia
Can you detect chromosomes through ultra sound?
No. Have to tell via genitals
What are teratogens ?
Any external agents that harm a fetus
What impacts do maternal heroine and cocaine use have on babies?
H: outright addiction
C: birth complications and cognitive defects
What are some effects of FASD, and how many does it effect? List 5
1/9 babies!
- small head (microcephaly),
- heart defects,
- mood problems,
- mental/motor development,
- lower attention span
What’s an additional concern with measuring FASD?
No safe amount of alcohol. So, many are effected but don’t quite meet criteria
What two impacts can smoking have on prenatal development?
- stillbirth, miscarriages,/ sudden infant death syndrome.
2. Also conduct problems later on
What 3 complications can maternal malnutrition cause? What disorder can it cause?
- Birth complications,
- vulnerability to schizophrenia,
- neurological defects
What makes malnutrition hard to measure impact?
Impact is often compounded with drugs, lack of health care because of poverty.
Why is stress dangerous, what 3 troubles might it cause?
Because increases hormonal imbalance in moms, causes:
- Poor immune responses,
- Social problems,
- stillbirths
What are the main diseases that can impact pregnancies?
measles, syphellus, chickenpox, rubella, AIDS
How can AIDS be transmitted to babies
many ways. Birth or breastfeeding
What are some environmental toxins that can impact pregnancies?
Pollutants, flame retardant chemicals
What impact can the prenatal process have on future diseases/conditions? What are the main four “time bomb” conditions (none diseases)
Can imbed programming for diseases later on. Liek
- schizophrenia
- obesity
- depression
- cancer.
What is Health Canada’s take on breastfeeding?
Good! Should only use it for six months, than combine it with solid foods for 2 years
