Prenatal Development & Newborns

1.How soon after conception does brain begin to form? 2.What are the 4 parts of the brain and the function of each? 3.What does nerogenesis mean? 4.What are the parts of a neuron and how do they communicate?

In-class Assignment 2 The purpose of this assignment is to help you better understand the three phases of prenatal development.

Teratogens Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… –Dose level & length of exposure –Genetic variability of mother & organism –Multiple influences versus a single agent –Age or whether organism is in a sensitive period

Figure 3.2: Sensitive periods in prenatal development

Teratogens Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… –Dose level & length of exposure –Genetic variability of mother & organism –Multiple influences versus a single agent –Age or whether organism is in a sensitive period Effects may be delayed & psychological Effects may be delayed & psychological Includes **drugs, diseases, & environment** Includes **drugs, diseases, & environment**

1. Alcohol Statistics Statistics –25% of expectant mothers report drinking –55% for those who might become pregnant Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) –Physical (facial) abnormalities

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: typical facial abnormalities

1. Alcohol Statistics Statistics –25% of expectant mothers report drinking –55% for those who might become pregnant Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) –Physical (facial) abnormalities –Long-term mental retardation & overactivity

2. Tobacco Statistics Statistics –12% report smoking during pregnancy Dose: more is worse; even 2 nd -hand is bad Dose: more is worse; even 2 nd -hand is bad Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible Effects: Effects: –Low birth weight –Behavioral disorders (ADD & ADHD?) –Long-term cognitive delays

Long-term cognitive effects of smoking

2. Tobacco Statistics Statistics –12% report smoking during pregnancy Dose: more is worse; even 2 nd -hand is bad Dose: more is worse; even 2 nd -hand is bad Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible Effects: Effects: –Low birth weight (low nutrients) –Behavioral disorders (ADD & ADHD?) due to CO 2 –Long-term cognitive delays

3. Cocaine Statistics Statistics –1980s phenomenon; estimate 11% Dose: unknown because of multiple influences Dose: unknown because of multiple influences Sensitive period: throughout Sensitive period: throughout Effects: Effects: –Born addicted & experience withdrawal –Shrill & piercing cry –Low birth weight –Long-term consequences? Less so if environment changes

What are newborns capable of?

Newborn Capabilities: Reflexes Inborn, automatic response to stimulation Inborn, automatic response to stimulationWhy? Serves a function Serves a function –Survival of newborn (e.g., sucking) –Motor development (e.g., stepping) –Evolutionary, no longer important (e.g., Moro) –Parent-newborn bonding

Reflexes

Reflexes

Newborn Capabilities: Reflexes Inborn, automatic response to stimulation Inborn, automatic response to stimulationWhy? Serves a function Serves a function –Survival of newborn (e.g., sucking) –Motor development (e.g., stepping) –Evolutionary, no longer important (e.g., Moro) –Parent-newborn bonding Most disappear at 6-months; voluntary control of behavior

Newborn Capabilities: Senses SenseCapability Sensitive to touch, pain, & temperature Touch Taste Smell Hearing Sight Can distinguish mother from other women Speech perception is better than adults Prefer high-pitched, expressive sounds Least mature, lack visual acuity, yet look for stimulation Distinguish between tastes, likes & dislikes

Dr. Suess Studies Decasper & Fifer (1980)

Dr. Deuss Studies Decasper & Fifer (1980) Participants: 10 newborns (24 hours old) Participants: 10 newborns (24 hours old) Method Method –Earphones on infants played tape-recording of mother (and stranger) reading Dr. Suess story –Pacifier in babies mouth monitored sucking

Results: newborns suck more in response to mother’s voice Results: newborns suck more in response to mother’s voice