Impact of Alcohol and Drugs on Fetus and Infant Development - Research Paper Example

?Running head: IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ON FETUS Impact of Alcohol and Drugs on Fetus and Infant Development (school) Impact of Alcohol and Drugs on Fetus and Infant Development Introduction Pregnancy is one of the most highly anticipated events in a woman’s life. It is a life-giving and life-developing stage where a small life thrives and is later delivered. Pregnancy also represents a period where much caution is required from the pregnant woman in terms of food, medicines, liquids ingested, as well as activities conducted. Due to the placental link between the fetus and the mother, most everything which the mother ingests is also ingested by the fetus. Due to the delicate nature of the fetus, drugs and alcohol are potentially harmful, even deadly for the fetus. This study shall describe the impact which alcohol and drugs have on a child when the woman abuses these substances. It shall consider fetal alcohol syndrome in much detail, as well as the physical and emotional impact of such syndrome and similar substances on the fetus. This paper shall also discuss the developmental and cognitive issues which may arise from alcohol and drug abuse. Discussion Effects of Alcohol There are various effects of alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy to a fetus. These effects are mostly physiological, however, in some instances, it can be emotional as well as psychological. One of the more common effects of substance abuse specifically relates to alcohol abuse. The exact amount of alcohol which a woman can take is not known, nor is there a safe time for alcohol to be drunk during pregnancy. The CDC (2010) cautions instead pregnant women not to drink alcohol at any point in the pregnancy. The CDC also cautions those who are planning to get pregnant, and who are sexually active, but not taking any contraceptives, to refrain from drinking alcohol because they may fall pregnant and not know for weeks that they are pregnant (CDC, 2010). The most prudent decision for these women is therefore to avoid alcohol altogether in order to prevent any negative impacts on the developing child. Alcohol can reach the fetus through the placenta. Various studies have revealed that the amount of alcohol in the fetus have registered in the same amount as that of the mother, implying an unimpeded movement of alcohol between the fetus and the mother (Vaux, 2010). The fetus seems to rely on the mother’s liver detoxification process because activity in the alcohol dehydrogenase in the fetus’s liver manifests to a lesser degree as that seen in the adult’s liver. Moreover, the amniotic fluid serves as reservoir for the alcohol, further increasing exposure of the fetus to alcohol (Vaux, 2010). The actual adverse impacts of alcohol on all organs of the fetus are not exactly known. Ethanol and acetaldehyde can impact on fetal development by interfering with cellular differentiation and growth, interrupting DNA and protein synthesis and preventing cell migration (Vaux, 2010). The ethanol and acetaldehyde also impacts on the intermediary processing of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They also reduce the transfer of amino acids, glucose, folic acid, zinc, and nutrients across the placenta, depriving the fetus of intrauterine nutrients. Increased levels of erythropoietin in the cord blood of infants have also been seen (Vaux, 2010). Alcohol abuse during pregnancy can cause various symptoms to manifest on the infant, these symptoms are referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) manifests in three areas: (1) facial abnormalities, which includes, skin folds at the corner of the eye, low nasal bridge, short nose, indistinct philtrum, small head circumference, small eye opening, small midface, and thin upper lip (Vaux, 2010); (2) growth retardation; (3) CNS-related afflictions, including cognitive delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral abnormalities (Vaux, 2010). It is also unfortunate to note that the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are lifetime and irreversible. There is no cure for this syndrome, and management of its impact on the child includes special schools and arrangements for the child (Medline Plus, 2011). Based on more specific observed characteristics, fetal alcohol syndrome can affect the overall structure of the brain with a smaller-than-normal size based on the person’s height and weight (Vaux, 2010). Changes in the structure of the brain can also be seen in MRIs and CT scans. Issues in the nervous system can also be seen, and these cannot be linked to other causes. Some of these issues include poor coordination, poor muscle control, and sucking issues (Vaux, 2010). The child’s brain functions can also be impacted with the child’s intellectual development being below the expected gains seen with other children of his age, schooling, or circumstances (Vaux, 2010). In order to justify a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome, the cognitive deficits are seen, alongside developmental delays in children too young for IQ evaluation. Moreover, problems in atleast three of the following aspects can be seen, including: cognitive delays (low IQ), with specific learning impairments especially in math, poor grades in general, significant gaps in verbal and nonverbal skills, and slowed reaction times; executive functioning defects, which involves deficiencies in processes which help in management of daily activities (cause and effect, lack on inhibition, poor judgment, and similar qualities); motor functioning deficits, which include delays in walking, difficulties in writing, clumsiness, tremors, difficulties in hand and finger coordination; attention problems and hyperactivity, seen with child being easily distracted, having difficulty completing tasks, and having trouble calming down; issues with social skills, with the child not fearing strangers, preferring younger friends, being immature, having trouble understanding how others feel; other issues can include sensitivity to taste or touch, difficulties in understanding facial expressions, and inability to respond appropriately to the usual parenting practices (Vaux, 2010). In a discussion by Howell (2004), the author highlights again that fetal alcohol syndrome children are likely to experience intellectual delays in their development. They are also likely to experience social, emotional, and behavioral problems. In some instances when the issue is not identified early, the child may often be labeled as being difficult or being ‘bad’ (Howell, 2004). This label can impact negatively on the child whose self-esteem may be lowered by these labels and by his developmental delays. With early diagnosis of this syndrome and its related intellectual impact, long-term behavioral and social issues can be prevented (Howell, 2004). During their adolescent years, FAS teens may have trouble living up to social and behavioral expectations. Issues in appropriate life skills, independence from parents, establishment of social contact, and preparations for academic challenges may be apparent for many of these teens. Their inability to cope with the intellectual challenges of school may also force these children to “act out” (Howell, 2004). In effect, fetal alcohol syndrome causes various emotional and behavioral issues. Some of these issues are caused by the actual prenatal exposure to alcohol; however, other problems may also arise from the postnatal environment of the affected child. In an unsupportive and confusing postnatal environment, the child may manifest behavioral problems which are seen in addition to the prenatal effects of the alcohol (Howell, 2004). A study by Matson and Riley, (1998) further establishes the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome on fetuses. The authors focused on 10 aspects of health which are affected, and these are: activity, attention, learning, memory, language, motor, and visuospatial abilities. All of these are negatively impacted by alcohol, with most of these activities compromised (Matson and Riley, 1998). For those who are diagnosing these patients, it is therefore important to use assessment processes which can consider both the prenatal and the postnatal settings for these children. Effects of Drugs For pregnant women, drug abuse can also have negative consequences for the child. Once again, due to the placental link between the fetus and the mother, drugs can also pass through the placental barrier and reach the fetal circulation. For the most part, drugs can be beneficial for one’s physiology, however, for a growing fetus, drugs can be dangerous and potentially fatal. Worse, drug abuse can cause severely negative effects on the fetus as well. Babies born from drug abusing mothers are known as “drug babies” (WebMd, 2011). Studies indicate that drugs, whether of the licit or the illicit kind taken during pregnancy directly affects the fetus. The ultimate consequences of drug use on the mother during her pregnancy include respiratory failure, heart attacks, strokes, and seizures; unfortunately, since the fetus would also be “drugged,” he would be exposed to the same health risks (WebMd, 2011). Drug abuse during pregnancy can also lead to various birth defects; it can also lead to underweight, prematurely born infants, or stillborn infants. Marijuana has been known to cause behavioral issues during childhood years (WebMd, 2011). They also impact on the child’s attentiveness and memory; and brain structure changes can manifest and persist during early adolescence (WebMd, 2011). Every year, about 500,000 unborn children are exposed to illicit drugs, this with the knowledge that drug use and birth defects have a known link with each other. Only in the 1950s however was the impact of drug use on fetal development brought to the public’s attention. In the 1950s, thalidomide use was linked with limb defects in the fetus (Brick, 2005). With public attention, the impact of other drugs on fetuses was evaluated. The effects of cocaine on pregnant women were assessed in a discussion by Brick (2005). In his discussion, he established that about 250-650 fetuses are exposed to cocaine and other drugs on a daily basis (Brick, 2005). The low molecular weight of cocaine, as well as its high solubility allows it to pass easily pass through the placental barrier. The fetus is very sensitive to cocaine because it does not possess enough fetal enzymes to metabolize the drug; as a result, the fetus receives the full impact of the dose taken by the mother (Brick, 2005). Cocaine acts as a vasoconstrictor. It constricts the blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the organs. As a result, fetal growth retardation, decreased head size, and risk of abruption placenta, as well as premature birthing are a higher possibility. It also leads to higher fetal heart rates and blood pressure, further increasing the risk of cerebral hemorrhaging, infarctions, and other complications of pregnancy (Brick, 2005). Fetal malformations can also result from cocaine addiction. Fatal vascular disruption represents various cocaine-related deformities, with babies often being smaller in size, being premature, and requiring neonatal intensive care (Brick, 2005). These infants also have poor visual recognition and processing of faces, as well as objects; they experience abnormal sleep patterns, tremors, and poor feeding qualities (Brick, 2005). The use of heroin can also impact negatively on the pregnant woman and her fetus. Heroin is an addictive drug, and just as the mother can become addicted to the drug, so too can the infant (American Pregnancy Association, 2011). It can cause premature birth, low birth weight, difficulty in breathing, bleeding in brain, and infant death. The fetus may also experience withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, diarrhea, fever, and joint stiffness (American Pregnancy Association, 2011). PCP and LSD can also have a negative impact on pregnancies and on the unborn child. It can cause low birth weight, poor muscle control, and brain damage (American Pregnancy Association, 2011). The child would also suffer from withdrawal symptoms, which includes lethargy and tremors. As for methamphetamines, these can cause health issues like that seen in cocaine addiction during pregnancy. The child may also experience low oxygen supply, thereby causing low birth weight. It can also increase the risk for premature labor, miscarriage, and placental abruption (American Pregnancy Association, 2011). They may also suffer withdrawal symptoms like tremors, sleeplessness, and muscle spasms. As these children get older, learning difficulties may also manifest. Conclusion The above discussion establishes the risks involved for the unborn child in alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome results from alcohol abuse for the mother during pregnancy. This syndrome manifests with various symptoms which includes facial abnormalities, growth retardation, and CNS-related afflictions. The physical and intellectual development is often compromised by the alcohol abuse and these symptoms often eventually lead to behavioral issues, with the child being emotionally affected by his developmental delays. The child is intellectually behind his age-mates, and he sometimes manifests behavior which is not normally part of his normal development process. For the drug abusive pregnant women, various drugs can have various impacts on the fetus. Most of these negative effects include low birth weight, premature delivery, withdrawal symptoms, growth retardation, and in some instances, death. The effects of these abuses are often irreversible and are for life. These effects are incurable, and can only be managed at a very early age in order to prevent exacerbation of symptoms, as well as the more prevalent behavioral and mental health issues arising from substance addiction among pregnant women. Works Cited American Pregnancy Association (2011). Using Illegal Street Drugs During Pregnancy. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/illegaldrugs.html Brick, J. (2005). Fetal drug effects. Intoxicon. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.intoxikon.com/Pubs/Facts%20on%20FETAL%20DRUG%20EFFECTS_4_7_05.pdf Centers for Disease Control (2010). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/diagnosis.html Howell, K. (2004). Social and Emotional Issues in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Psychiatry. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.psychiatry.emory.edu/PROGRAMS/GADrug/Feature%20Articles/Alcohol/2004%20Social%20and%20Emotional%20Issues%20and%20FAS.pdf Vaux, K. (2010). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. eMedicine. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974016-overview#a0101 Mattson, S. & Riley, E. (1998). A Review of the Neurobehavioral Deficits with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Prenatal Alcohol. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, volume 22(2), pp. 279-294 Medline Plus. (2011). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fetalalcoholsyndrome.html WebMd (2011). Drug Use and Pregnancy. Retrieved 08 August 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/baby/drug-use-and-pregnancy Read More