When Things Go Wrong: Teratogens and Your Unborn Baby - Essay Example

When things go wrong: Teratogens and your unborn baby When things go wrong: Teratogens and the unborn baby Teratogens and their impacts on fetus development Teratogens affect the normal development of a fetus during different stages of growth and result into deformities and even death. Though common impacts of teratogens are birth defects, some teratogens have the ability to halt the pregnancy and lead to miscarriage. Teratogens are characterized into chemical radiations, maternal infections, pharmacological and non-pharmacological medications among other chemicals. Most teratogens are found within the environment and the physical exposure to the expectant mother provides it with a route to the developing embryo. Research has established that 5% of birth defects arise from environmental teratogens. Exposure of teratogens at an early stage of fetal development such as 3-4 weeks will lead to organ defects such as failure to seal the neural tube. However, some organs are highly sensitive to teratogens and are affected irrespective of the time of exposure. The central nervous system, for example, is affected by exposure to teratogens at any stage of development of the fetus. Alcohol, for example, affects the CNS and causes various defects in the fetus (Cook & Cook, 2010). Different types of teratogens exist and their impacts on the fetus vary, depending on the time of exposure and the level of development of the fetus. For example, alcohol is a teratogen that affects the central nervous system and lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs when the fetus is exposed to alcohol during development because of uncontrolled drinking behavior of the mother (Small, 1998). This affects the development of the central nervous system thus leading to a number of defects in the heart, kidney and even the bones. In extreme cases, FAS can result into the death of the fetus before birth, thus forcing operative procedures to remove it from the womb. Though there is no treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome, early diagnosis is essential in its management (Cook & Cook, 2010). Phenytoin, a medication used for reducing the seizure occurrence in epileptic patients is also a strong teratogen. Epileptic mothers who take phenytoin during the first trimester of pregnancy increase the changes of giving birth to children with fetal hydantoin syndrome. Babies born with this condition experience reduced rate of growth and development, defects in the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems. Varicella or chicken pox is an infectious disease that is mostly present among children. Despite the natural immunity developed for the condition once one is exposed to it, over 2000 pregnant women in the United States are believed to face a risk of infection. Infection with chicken pox during pregnancy increases the complications faced by the fetus and the mother alike (Cook & Cook, 2010). As briefly highlighted, teratogens affect the normal development of the fetus and lead to a number of defects upon birth. Exposure to radiation causes chromosomal aberration on the fetus and this lead to the development of genetic disorders and congenital malformation. Radiation has massive impacts on the development of the fetus during the 8-15th week of development after fertilization. Infectious agents such as chicken pox results into mitotic inhibition and other cytotoxic effects that affect the growth of the fetus, and attempts to heal may lead to calcification that is further harmful due to the interference with the process of histogenesis (Cook & Cook, 2010). Prenatal development stages The fetal development stage is essential in the study of teratogens and their impacts on the health of a pregnant woman. The actions of different teratogens are influenced by the developmental stage of the fetus as has been briefly mentioned. Immediately after fertilization, a zygote enters the germinal stage where it moves towards the uterus for a period of around one week. During this stage, cell growth through division occurs and the zygote is separated into distinct masses. A blastocyst is formed which has three layers including the ectoderm, endoderm and the mesoderm which shortly thereafter implants on the wall of the uterus through the placenta (Small, 1998). Alcohol thus affects the normal development and differentiation of the neural tube during the embryonic stage, leading to the emergence of fetal alcohol syndrome. The embryonic stage ends at week eight when all major organs in the body are completely developed except the reproductive system. As a result, teratogens affect the development of embryos during this stage more as compared to other levels of development (Small, 1998). The fetal stage begins immediately after the end of the embryonic stage and the developing child is now referred to as a fetus. This is the final period of fetal development and ends after birth. Though most of the organs are developed during the embryonic stage, fetal stage oversees the differentiation of the neural tube into brain and spinal cord. A number of teratogens such as mercury have an impact on the organ development during this stage. Poor development of the sexual organs during this stage is associated with exposure to mercury, lead and other chemicals (Small, 1998). The significance of the first 1,000 days of human development Apart from the impacts of the environment, nutrition also plays a significant role in the development of human beings during the first 1000 days. Nutritional nourishment plays a critical role in the first 1000 days of human development. This is because it secures the process of brain development, a process that significantly occurs during this period. Immediately after birth, only 15% of the brain is fully developed and the remaining develops during the first 1000 days after birth. Proper nutrition thus enhances the development of the cognition abilities of a child within the first 1000 days (Small, 1998). After birth, the brain of a baby expands from 300mg to over 1kg, a process that requires significant stimulation to be achieved. The social environment of the child during the first 1000 days after conception influences the rate of brain development. Early relationships and interaction with the parents influences the hard wiring of the brain, as the development of a child into a normal human being, this development period must be witnessed during the first 18 months, failure to which the brain capabilities of child are affected (Cook & Cook, 2010). Physical skills are also learnt during the first 1000 days since inception which makes the right environment critical. Parents must ensure that the environment that a child is exposed to within the first 1000 days is supportive and stimulating. This increases the confidence levels of the child as it grows up with special physical abilities (Small, 1998). Children also learn to talk during the first 1000 days after inception, an ability that can only be developed through hearing other people talk. Thus, a child must be exposed to a healthy verbal and nonverbal environment to enhance his ability to talk during this period (Small, 1998). This is the final period of fetal development and ends after birth. Though most of the organs are developed during the embryonic stage, fetal stage oversees the differentiation of the neural tube into brain and spinal cord. A number of teratogens such as mercury have an impact on the organ development during this stage. Biological postcard It is believed that pregnant women have a unique way of communicating and bonding with their unborn children throughout the period of pregnant. Despite the fact that the methods of communication cannot be defined as distinct, pregnant women have a two-way communication with their fetus. According to researchers from Michigan, women who experience first time pregnancy develop a strong bond and relationship with their unborn children. This is viewed as a catalyst for personal expansion and increasing the ability of a first time mother to develop strong affection towards her child (Cook & Cook, 2010). A mother and the unborn child have a strong physical relationship, which is further strengthened through innate communication during the pregnancy. As a result, communication provides room for the development of a parallel relationship together with the physical attachment that they share during the pregnancy. Pregnancy leads to changes in human body and development, a situation that provides time for emotional attachment between the unborn child and the mother (Small, 1998). Promotion of health prenatal development The prenatal development of a child is essential in determining how it will interact with the physical and emotional environment following birth. Embryonic and fetal environment must be controlled and enhanced to ensure that a safe and healthy child is born at the end of the pregnancy. As a result, the parents of the unborn child to ensure that it develops well and blend with the environment must adopt a number of approaches. Following a healthy lifestyle is critical during the prenatal development and growth to ensure that the child blends well with the environment (Small, 1998). First, a pregnant parent must seek adequate and essential information on the importance of prenatal care, a process that will assist in eliminating any dangers exposed to the fetus. Plentiful diet is also important in the full development of a fetus during the fetal development stage but the diet must be balanced to ensure equal growth of the infant and the mother. Though weight gain is normal in pregnancy, mothers must ensure that they maintain a moderate weight gain to ensure that the child remain healthy throughout the entire period of the pregnancy (Small, 1998). Apart from balanced diet and moderate weight gain, mothers must maintain positive emotional state during prenatal development to ensure that the fetus develops in a positive emotional environment. Physical exercise also plays an essential role in positive development of the fetus and eliminates the possibility of developing cardiovascular conditions. Finally, as discussed in other parts of this paper, teratogens affect the normal growth of fetus and expose them to risks that cause organ damage and even death. As a result, pregnant mothers must ensure that they stay away from teratogens such as medication, alcohol and other forms of radiation that affects the development of the embryo and fetus (Cook & Cook, 2010). References Cook, J., & Cook, G. (2010). The World of Children, 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn and Bacon. Small, M. (1998). Our babies, ourselves: How biology and culture shape the way parent. New York: Doubleday. Read More