What teratogen did you choose, and why?
Most women consider pregnancy the biggest step in their life, and it is full of challenges and precautions that determine the success of the entire pregnancy period. Generally, good prenatal care is essential and promotes both the mother’s and the child's health. During the first trimester of the pregnancy, some women are not aware of their condition despite the stage being the most critical one. Some mothers can still be doing their usual behaviors such as drinking and abusing drugs during the first few months which might jeopardize the unborn child's well-being. Therefore, the child becomes vulnerable to teratogens, which are environmental hazards that contribute to congenital disabilities. The most common on teratogen, in this case, is alcohol, which is the most abused teratogen. During the first few months of pregnancy, the mother might still be taking alcohol without being aware of the dangers she is exposing her future child to.
What are the potential short-term & long-term effects of this teratogen on the fetus and child?
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Different campaigns are organized by various health organizations and physicians on education regarding the dangers of prenatal substance abuse. They advise women worldwide to avoid alcohol when pregnant and when planning to become pregnant soon. A woman who drinks alcohol while pregnant exposes her baby to a risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which is considered the leading cause of birth disabilities. Alcohol can pass from the mother's blood to that of the unborn child, causing major damage to the brain and the spinal cord cells ( Centers for Disease Control, 2020).
The effects of alcohol range from short term to long-term and can be either physically or mentally lasting on the child’s entire life. The short-term effects include miscarriage, stillbirth, and immature birth. The long-term effects include fetal alcohol syndrome. Three main elements are used in the diagnosis of FAS, they include: small overall height, small head, and a distinctive pattern of abnormal facial characteristics. The growth and development of brain cells are also affected, with neuropsychologists identifying deficits in learning and memory, and behavioral problems. Finally, the child is also subjected to difficulties in bonding with the mother and feeding as a newborn.
What are the risk factors associated with damage from this teratogen? That is, who is most and least likely to suffer teratogenic damage?
Whether in small or large amounts, alcohol is highly discouraged during pregnancy since the child is at the highest risk of getting behavioral disorders. The first trimester is the most crucial part of pregnancy because it is the stage where baby's body structure and organ systems develop, and the child is at greater risk of developing long-term negative effects such as FASD. When alcohol passes from mother’s blood through the placenta to that of the child, the alcohol concentration is the same as the mother, which causes damage to the brain cells' growth and development. The child would still have problems with learning and memory even as a grown up. Another risk factor associated with this teratogen is psychological and behavioral disorders, which range from mental illnesses, depression, and impulsivity that interfere with their participation in home, school, and social environments ( Newsroom, 2016). Generally, the child is the most affected by alcohol-related damages.
Has this teratogen become more or less of a problem in recent years as a result of technological changes, educational awareness, social changes, or other reasons? Explain the reasons for this change.
The good news regarding this teratogen is that despite being the leading cause of intellectual disabilities in children in the U.S., it is also preventable and controllable. According to Centers for Disease Control, 2020, middle- aged women with possibilities of getting pregnant in the U.S. have been advised to reduce alcohol intake when not using birth control measures or while pregnant. Some women might not be aware that they are pregnant during the first few weeks therefore at greater risk of suffering a miscarriage and exposing their child to various health complications. However, the issue of alcohol during pregnancy has been reducing significantly due to the increased public awareness through social media and educational awareness programs. Most of these awareness materials are given in hospitals inform of booklets and charts detailing the dangers as well as precautions to take. Nowadays, most people are becoming more concerned about their health, and with proper utilization of the current technological advances, they can review and research on healthy lifestyles. Technological advances have made access to information easier since one can easily learn of the dangers of drinking while pregnant at the comfort of their homes. Additionally, pregnant women are also able to communicate easily with their care-givers using internet devices without necessarily having to physically visit the clinic.
What steps can prospective parents take to minimize the effects of this teratogen?
As mentioned earlier, alcohol despite being the most abused teratogen is also controllable. This fact provides options for prospective parents to minimize the dangers. The first step to take as a prospective woman is to quit alcohol as soon as you plan to become pregnant. Doctors have proven that the only way to prevent FAS is to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Another way the woman can minimize the risk is to go for a screening session in a nearby hospital to assess the level of consumption and establish effective primary care immediately. The mother can also consider taking vitamins such as folic acid that reduces the risk of birth defects.
References
Centers for Disease Control. (2020). Alcohol Use in Pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html
Newsroom, C. D. C. (2016). More than 3 million US women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0202-alcohol-exposed-pregnancy.html#:~:text=An%20estimated%203.3%20million%20women,Vital%20Signs%20report%20released%20today.
