Avoiding Dangers to the Baby Chapter 5, Day 6 Child Development

Avoiding Dangers to the Baby  Researchers and doctors believe that drugs consumed during pregnancy are among the major causes of birth defects due to environmental factors.  Drugs include Alcohol Prescription and over-the-counter drugs Caffeine Nicotine Illegal drugs Inhalants

Alcohol  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an incurable condition found in some children of mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.  1 in 5 babies born with FAS do not live to 1 year old  Problems include Heart, liver, or kidney defects Hyperactivity Facial deformity Mental retardation Learning difficulties Delayed Growth

Prescription and OTC Drugs  Months 1 –3 Mental retardation  Months 4 – 9 Slow growth Bleeding at birth Check with the doctor before taking Medications that are not absolutely necessary should be avoided

Caffeine  Caffeine passes easily form a mother to her fetus through the placenta  Caffeine can Increase fetal heart rate and movement Draw calcium from the body Interfere with absorption of iron Worsen mood swings

Tobacco  Low birth rate  Premature delivery  Respiratory infections and allergies  Secondhand smoke has similar effects

Illegal Drugs  Addiction is passed to baby  Low birth rate  Premature delivery  Risk of seizures  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome  Heart disease  Stillbirth  Stroke  Brain Damage  Developmental delays  Physical abnormalities  Death

Diseases & Infections  Rubella: cause severe birth defects including blindness, deafness, heart disease & mental retardation  A vaccine is available and usually given as a child

Diseases & Infections  Toxoplasmosis: spread by a parasite  Causes: blindness, hearing loss, learning & mental disabilities, & death  Avoid litter boxes, undercooked meat and wash hands after touching raw meat  Chicken Pox: cause scarring of the skin, limb defects, & abnormalities  Vaccine is avalible & given as a child

Diseases & Infections  Sexually Transmitted Infections  Syphilis: can cause skin rash, bone or facial deformities, deafness, brain damage or death  AIDS: attacks the brain, seizures, mental development. Medicine available to reduce spreading to baby  Genital Herpes: cause brain infections, mental retardation & death