Download 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