Teratogens

Child Psych II

What is a Teratogen?

Definition: A teratogen is an environmental agent

that can adversely affect the unborn child, thus producing a birth defect

Timing The effect of

teratogens depends upon the timing of exposure. 

The first trimester of pregnancy is the critical period of organ and limb development in the fetus. 

The fetal brain develops throughout pregnancy and can be affected at any time.

Exposure to a teratogen during the two weeks following conception is unlikely to cause birth defects.

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.csulb.edu/~kmacd/361-6-Ch1.htm

Congenital Infections HIV

The biggest risk to the fetus is for transmission of the virus to fetus

Treatment during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk to the baby.

Rubella A.K.A. German Measles, may result in the baby being born

blind, deaf, mentally disabled, have heart defects Syphilis

STD, ½ of infected pregnancies will spontaneously abort Baby may be born premature, have enlarged liver or spleen,

deaf, blind, MR, skin rash, jaundice Toxoplasmosis

Common infection caused by microscopic worms Can cause developmental disabilities, deafness, blindness

Physical Agents

X-Rays Possible effects on the newborn include: slow

growth, developmental disabilities, sterility, possible cancers later in life

Hyperthermia Refers to an abnormally high body temperature

(fever, prolonged exposure to extreme heat source, heavy exercising)

Baby is more likely to form neural tube defects, including spina bifida (incompletely formed spinal cord, may result in paralysis)

Maternal Health Factors

Maternal Diabetes Delivery complications due to large baby Stillbirth Spontaneous abortion

Maternal PKU Increased risk for mental retardation Low birth weight, other birth defects

Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Alcohol Leading known preventable cause of MR

and birth defects Low birth weight Heart, joint, & eye defects Still birth Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Cigarette Smoke Nicotine Fetal Distress

Abnormal heart rate Low birth weight Stillbirth Sponataneous abortion Death during first few weeks Lasting effects

Smaller size, poor reading skills, poor school adjustment

Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Cocaine Baby will be born addicted to cocaine

When no longer being given drugs, baby will go through stress, high-pitched crying, shaking, poor feeding, fever

Low birth-weight or premature birth Grow slowly, malformed internal organs Behavior worsens as they get older Mothers addicted to crack usually have poor

health and nutrition

Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Always discuss any medications with doctor prior to taking them

Aspirin Prolonged labor Bleeding in mother and baby