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 Caused by RECESSIVE Genes Phenylketonuria (PKU) Phenylketonuria (PKU) Sickle-Cell Disease Sickle-Cell Disease Tay-Sachs Disease Tay-Sachs Disease Caused by DOMINANT Genes Caused by DOMINANT Genes Huntington’s Disease Huntington’s Disease Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Migraine Headaches Migraine Headaches Extra Fingers Extra Fingers

Sex-Linked Disorders Red-Green Colorblindness Red-Green Colorblindness Hemophelia Hemophelia Fragile X Syndrome Fragile X Syndrome Caused by recessive gene on X chromosome Caused by recessive gene on X chromosome Boys suffer more often than girls Boys suffer more often than girls

Chromosomal Errors Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) Mental Retardation Mental Retardation Distinctive facial features Distinctive facial features Physical Abnormalities Physical Abnormalities Maternal age is a major factor

Chromosomal Errors (Cont.) Sex Chromosome Anomalies Sex Chromosome Anomalies XXY (Klinefelter’s Syndrome) XXY (Klinefelter’s Syndrome) XO (Turner’s Syndrome) XO (Turner’s Syndrome) XXX (Girls w/ an extra X) XXX (Girls w/ an extra X) XYY (Boys w/ an extra Y) XYY (Boys w/ an extra Y)

Other Maternal Influences Chronic Illnesses Chronic Illnesses Heart Disease, Diabetes, Lupus, Hormone Imbalances can all lead to developmental delays Heart Disease, Diabetes, Lupus, Hormone Imbalances can all lead to developmental delays Fetal-Maternal Medicine helps to manage the effects of long-term illnesses Fetal-Maternal Medicine helps to manage the effects of long-term illnesses

Environmental Hazards Limit exposure to mercury Limit exposure to mercury Avoiding possible harmful chemicals Avoiding possible harmful chemicals Lead Lead Arsenic Arsenic Anesthetic Gasses (Tell your dentist you’re pregnant!) Anesthetic Gasses (Tell your dentist you’re pregnant!) Solvants Solvants Parasite bearing substances Parasite bearing substances

Teratogens Substances that cause damage to an embryo 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) 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 The first 8 weeks are the most dangerous

Teratogens: Maternal Diseases Rubella Rubella Vaccinations should be given to all children Vaccinations should be given to all children HIV HIV Other STD’s or STI’s Other STD’s or STI’s Syphilis Syphilis Genital Herpes Genital Herpes Gonorrhea Gonorrhea Etc. Etc.

Teratogens: Drugs Smoking Smoking Drinking Drinking Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Cocaine Cocaine Marijuana Marijuana Heroin Heroin

Other Maternal Influences Diet Diet Both general adequacy and the presence of certain key nutrients are essential in a pregnant woman’s diet Both general adequacy and the presence of certain key nutrients are essential in a pregnant woman’s diet Malnutrition (Especially before 3 months) Malnutrition (Especially before 3 months) Low Birth Weight Low Birth Weight Brain Stunting Brain Stunting Fetal Death Fetal Death A woman’s caloric intake needs to go up % during pregnancy A woman’s caloric intake needs to go up % during pregnancy

Other Maternal Influences (Cont.) Age Age First pregnancies occurring later First pregnancies occurring later Women over 35 have higher risks for complications during pregnancy Women over 35 have higher risks for complications during pregnancy Teenage Mothers Teenage Mothers May suffer from poverty and prenatal care May suffer from poverty and prenatal care Children may exhibit learning and behavior problems at schools Children may exhibit learning and behavior problems at schools Both preterm and low birth weight babies were twice as common in preteen mothers Both preterm and low birth weight babies were twice as common in preteen mothers

Maternal Emotions Stress Stress Can change hormone levels Can change hormone levels Stressful life events, emotional distress, and physical stress are linked to slight increases in problematic pregnancies Stressful life events, emotional distress, and physical stress are linked to slight increases in problematic pregnancies Severely distressed mothers produce infants who grow slowly Severely distressed mothers produce infants who grow slowly Social support and counseling may help Social support and counseling may help

Poverty Low birth weight or stillborn babies are more common in poor mothers Low birth weight or stillborn babies are more common in poor mothers More likely to have earlier pregnancies More likely to have earlier pregnancies Good prenatal care may help overcome difficulties Good prenatal care may help overcome difficulties