Infant and Toddler Competencies #3 Correlate prenatal conditions with development The growth that happens during the

nine months of prenatal development is nothing short of astonishing, but this period is also a time of great vulnerability. Fortunately, the effects of many of these hazards can be greatly lessened or even avoided entirely. hile dangers do e!ist, the vast ma"ority of babies are born healthy. Today, researchers understand a great deal about teratogens, a term used to describe the broad range of conditions and substances that can increase the ris# of prenatal problems and abnormalities. Teratogens can cause a wide range of problems from low$birth weight to brain damage to missing limbs. In order to minimize and avoid these dangers, it is essential to understand what poses a ris# to the fetus and how such dangers can affect development. %nfortunately, prenatal damage caused by psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, inhalants, and tobacco are still far too common. &ll psychoactive drugs have a deleterious effect on prenatal development leading to problems including low birth$ weight, premature birth, and impaired brain development. The effects of such drug use can lead to both short$term and long$term deficits. 'abies e!posed to psychoactive drugs in$utero may show signs of drug withdrawal after birth, such as crying, startling, difficulty sleeping, and erratic eating. &s they continue to develop and grow, these children may face learning problems such as an inability to pay attention, poor self$control, increased irritability, or even ma"or developmental delays. Tobacco use can result in low birth$weight as well as an increased ris# of abnormalities such as urinary tract and limb malformations. &lcohol use during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome which is characterized by facial abnormalities including a smaller than average head size, a flattened nose, wide spacing between the eyes, and a narrow upper lip. Fetal alcohol syndrome also results in intellectual impairments, impaired physical growth, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Fortunately, the effects of many environmental dangers can be minimized or even avoided entirely. Than#s to increased awareness of the effects of diseases, medications, and drugs, mothers are able to better ensure that they are healthy and free of harmful substances by the time they conceive a child. hile environmental dangers pose a definite ris# to the growing fetus, they do not always cause harm. The impact of such hazards involves the interaction of a number of factors, including the timing of the e!posure, the duration of the e!posure, and possible genetic vulnerabilities that may be present.

The specific time of when the growing organism is e!posed to the danger can play a ma"or role in the ultimate outcome. Throughout prenatal development, there are times of greater susceptibility #nown as critical periods. For e!ample, an embryo is most vulnerable to teratogens in the first eight wee#s after conception. (owever, damage to ma"or areas of the body including the brain and eyes can also occur during the later wee#s of pregnancy.