Teratogens Paper
Teratogens
The teratogens I choose are alcohol and cigarette smoking due to the ease of accessibility. The effects of alcohol can be devastating to an unborn fetus. Teratogens are most harmful to what part of the embryo is forming at the time of exposure (K.L. Moore & Persaud, 2003). The effects of alcohol can be devastating to an unborn fetus. Alcohol that is consumed by the mother is passed on to her unborn child and the results of prenatal alcohol exposure are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). I have seen the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) when I worked in a pediatrics unit. The patient “Lily” was a four year old female when I first met her. Lily had all the devastating effect of (FAS), mental retardation, facial abnormalities, blindness, deafness, heart defects, low birth weight and failure to thrive. She was literally a prisoner in her own body. Lily’s mother had abandoned her at birth and she was a forever foster child. She passed away at 5 years old due to her heart defects, and inability to eat, and thrive. She weighed a mere 21.5 lbs. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy will lead to lifelong issues for the child and the family as there is no cure or resolution for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Cigarette smoking or exposure to second hand smoke can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), developmental delays, cleft palate (unformed roof of the mouth and upper lip, as well as nasal septum), asthma/respiratory problems, and failure to thrive. Avoiding exposure to teratogens during pregnancy is the safest way to avoid the lifelong issues that can be devastating to your children and your family.
References
Moore, Keith L., & Persud, Trivedi. V.N. (2003).The developing human: Clinically oriented embryology (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Homeowner/Teratogens. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
Alcohol
depending upon the
The teratogens I choose are alcohol and cigarette smoking due to the ease of accessibility. The effects of alcohol can be devastating to an unborn fetus. Teratogens are most harmful to what part of the embryo is forming at the time of exposure (K.L. Moore & Persaud, 2003). The effects of alcohol can be devastating to an unborn fetus. Alcohol that is consumed by the mother is passed on to her unborn child and the results of prenatal alcohol exposure are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). I have seen the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) when I worked in a pediatrics unit. The patient “Lily” was a four year old female when I first met her. Lily had all the devastating effect of (FAS), mental retardation, facial abnormalities, blindness, deafness, heart defects, low birth weight and failure to thrive. She was literally a prisoner in her own body. Lily’s mother had abandoned her at birth and she was a forever foster child. She passed away at 5 years old due to her heart defects, and inability to eat, and thrive. She weighed a mere 21.5 lbs. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy will lead to lifelong issues for the child and the family as there is no cure or resolution for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Cigarette smoking or exposure to second hand smoke can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), developmental delays, cleft palate (unformed roof of the mouth and upper lip, as well as nasal septum), asthma/respiratory problems, and failure to thrive. Avoiding exposure to teratogens during pregnancy is the safest way to avoid the lifelong issues that can be devastating to your children and your family.
References
Moore, Keith L., & Persud, Trivedi. V.N. (2003).The developing human: Clinically oriented embryology (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Homeowner/Teratogens. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
Alcohol
depending upon the
References: Moore, Keith L., & Persud, Trivedi. V.N. (2003).The developing human: Clinically oriented embryology (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/article/Homeowner/Teratogens. Retrieved June 5, 2012. Alcohol depending upon the amount of alcohol you consume, the risk of miscarriage and birth defects vary. A small to moderate amount (2-4 drinks frequently) can lead to “Fetal Alcohol Effect,” which increases the risk of miscarriage, developmental delay, and hyperactivity in the child. Heavy use of alcohol (5-6 drinks frequently) can lead to “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,” where the risk of miscarriage is increased even more, and the baby has a small head size, facial abnormalities such as small eyes and nose, small nails, ear abnormalities, heart defects, learning difficulties, behavioral problems, and mental retardation. Cigarette Smoking The more a woman smokes, the higher the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), possible increase in developmental delays, a 1% risk for cleft palate (a hole in the roof of the mouth), and failure to thrive. Smoking over ½ packs of cigarettes per day or more appears to put your pregnancy in the increased risk group. It is also important to not allow anyone to smoke around newborn or young infants.