Amber Chelette
Motor Development
11/5/17
Teratogens
Throughout everyone’s life, there are constantly factors around that can affect them, unless they might be in a bubble. In this case, the babies are in a bubble and what happens to them in that bubble impacts the rest of their life. There are a numerous number of factors that can cause good or harmful things to the fetus. Specifically, there are 3 types of teratogens that can have a negative impact on the fetus’ growth, mental and physical development. The three types of teratogens are Drugs and Medications, Diseases and Genetics. According to Payne and Issacs (2016) a teratogen is “an environmental agent that causes harm to the embryo or fetus.” (p. 74)
The teratogens that …show more content…
Few diseases are preventable but not all. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a disease that can be passed to the baby. HIV can be transferred to the fetus through the uterus, breastfeeding or delivery of the baby. If the baby comes in contact with the virus it will grow up living with the virus that could turn into AIDS, but also could have many neurological complications. It is possible for it to be avoided if the mother takes a certain drug to reduce the possibility of passing it to the fetus but that is not a 100% guarantee. If the mother has HIV then they will test the baby’s blood after it is born to tell for certain if it was passed onto the baby. Since HIV can have an effect on neurological development, that will also have an effect on motor development. Motor development will only have good progress if the brain allows it to. Not having proper muscle mass or being able to reach certain milestones affects every developmental …show more content…
Trisomy 21 is down syndrome and that is caused by an extra chromosome when cells combine to create the embryo. You can figure out if the baby has it by doing a possibility of three different tests, two while in the uterus which is chronic villus sampling and amniocentesis. After the baby is born they can also test its blood. It will affect how the child looks and how the child grows. Down syndrome also has many neurological deficits which delay development and learning. This chromosomal disorder cannot be prevented in any way, like most genetic disorders.
Teratogens are just one of many possible factors, but also some of the worst. Although some can be prevented, not all can and that can hold a much more difficult life for some. Motor development and intellectual development are crucial to learning and with delays in those, it is not good. The most definite thing is to not do drugs of any sort because that can be prevented 100% and there is no need to create those harmful effects for an unborn child. Children with diseases and genetic disorders will have to learn and adapt to whatever comes their