Transcript Document
Problems in Prenatal Development Brian Kelley M.A., LPC Kaplan University Child and Adolescent Psychology Dominant vs. Recessive Genes Autosomal Disorders Caused by RECESSIVE Genes Phenylketonuria (PKU) Sickle-Cell Disease Tay-Sachs Disease Caused by DOMINANT Genes Huntington’s Disease Schizophrenia Migraine Headaches Extra Fingers Sex-Linked Disorders Red-Green Colorblindness Hemophelia Fragile X Syndrome Caused by recessive gene on X chromosome Boys suffer more often than girls Chromosomal Errors Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) Mental Retardation Distinctive facial features Physical Abnormalities Maternal age is a major factor Chromosomal Errors (Cont.) Sex Chromosome Anomalies XXY (Klinefelter’s Syndrome) XO (Turner’s Syndrome) XXX (Girls w/ an extra X) XYY (Boys w/ an extra Y) Other Maternal Influences Chronic Illnesses Heart Disease, Diabetes, Lupus, Hormone Imbalances can all lead to developmental delays Fetal-Maternal Medicine helps to manage the effects of long-term illnesses Environmental Hazards Limit exposure to mercury Avoiding possible harmful chemicals Lead Arsenic Anesthetic Gasses (Tell your dentist you’re pregnant!) Solvants Parasite bearing substances Teratogens Substances that cause damage to an embryo Each organ system is most vulnerable to harm when its development is most rapid. (Figure 2.8, pg. 52) The first 8 weeks are the most dangerous Teratogens: Maternal Diseases Rubella Vaccinations should be given to all children HIV Other STD’s or STI’s Syphilis Genital Herpes Gonorrhea Etc. Teratogens: Drugs Smoking Drinking Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Cocaine Marijuana Heroin Other Maternal Influences Diet Both general adequacy and the presence of certain key nutrients are essential in a pregnant woman’s diet Malnutrition (Especially before 3 months) Low Birth Weight Brain Stunting Fetal Death A woman’s caloric intake needs to go up 1020% during pregnancy Other Maternal Influences (Cont.) Age First pregnancies occurring later Women over 35 have higher risks for complications during pregnancy Teenage Mothers May suffer from poverty and prenatal care Children may exhibit learning and behavior problems at schools Both preterm and low birth weight babies were twice as common in preteen mothers Maternal Emotions Stress Can change hormone levels Stressful life events, emotional distress, and physical stress are linked to slight increases in problematic pregnancies Severely distressed mothers produce infants who grow slowly Social support and counseling may help Poverty Low birth weight or stillborn babies are more common in poor mothers More likely to have earlier pregnancies Good prenatal care may help overcome difficulties