Teratogen Affects on Pregnancy
Teratogen Affects on Pregnancy
Oct 9, 2010
Textbook References:
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- smoking p 50 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- behavioral problem w/smoking p 51 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- Child Behavioral Problems w/drinking p.52 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- FAS p 51 Part II
There are many potential adverse effects of drugs on prenatal development. Drugs are not only dangerous to adults but to the baby as well if taken during pregnancy. These drugs are called teratogenic, also referred as teratogens. A teratogen is a substance that is capable of interfering with the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens can cease the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Some classes of teratogens are the following: radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.
Our text tells us, that there are many women who turn to drugs as a solution to their problems in life, unfortunately. For example, some women who suffer from depression may smoke or drink as a temporary fix to their problems. A team of researchers led by Dr. Ron Gray at the National President Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University performed studies on how smoking affects pregnancy. From the text information and the article information, there is a correlation. The article found in www.sciencedaily.com reads the researchers found that women in the most deprived category were three times more likely to smoke during pregnancy than those in the least deprived category. Smoking is classified as a teratogen. According to our text, recent research suggests that smoking during pregnancy can be linked to low birth weight and genetic damage. The infants born to mothers who smoke are on average ½ a pound lighter than nonsmoking mothers. They are also twice as likely to weigh
Oct 9, 2010
Textbook References:
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- smoking p 50 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- behavioral problem w/smoking p 51 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- Child Behavioral Problems w/drinking p.52 Part II
Chapter 2 Teratogens: Drugs- FAS p 51 Part II
There are many potential adverse effects of drugs on prenatal development. Drugs are not only dangerous to adults but to the baby as well if taken during pregnancy. These drugs are called teratogenic, also referred as teratogens. A teratogen is a substance that is capable of interfering with the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens can cease the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Some classes of teratogens are the following: radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.
Our text tells us, that there are many women who turn to drugs as a solution to their problems in life, unfortunately. For example, some women who suffer from depression may smoke or drink as a temporary fix to their problems. A team of researchers led by Dr. Ron Gray at the National President Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University performed studies on how smoking affects pregnancy. From the text information and the article information, there is a correlation. The article found in www.sciencedaily.com reads the researchers found that women in the most deprived category were three times more likely to smoke during pregnancy than those in the least deprived category. Smoking is classified as a teratogen. According to our text, recent research suggests that smoking during pregnancy can be linked to low birth weight and genetic damage. The infants born to mothers who smoke are on average ½ a pound lighter than nonsmoking mothers. They are also twice as likely to weigh