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Module Two Short Paper Name: PSY-632 Developmental Psychology Professor: Date:

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Women experience a mixed reactions when it comes to pregnancy. It can be a stressful or an exciting phase of their lives. Every pregnancy stage is fundamental for the appropriate growth and development of a child also the first 8 weeks are regarded are the most delicate. This is because it is the period where a lot of damage is likely to occur to the fetus. The impact of teratogens are vilest in this time. Teratogens by definition is any drug, disease or environmental causative agent that has the capability of causing detriment to an embryo or fetus (Kaufman, 1997). Exposure or contact with the teratogens influences the embryo of fetus in several manners, for instance, the length of exposure, the quantity of the teratogenic matter as well as the phase of embryo or fetus development at the time of exposure. Teratogens might impact pregnancy and result to several impediments such as miscarriages, preterm labors or even unprompted abortions. While teratogens might not affect all fetus or embryos, but vulnerability is determined by the genetic structure of the mother and also the quality of the parental environment. The destructive impact of teratogens may comprise of blindness, stunted growth and development, brain mutilation, and in other cases, death (Shaffer & Kipp, 2014, p. 97). Significantly, a prodigious majority of children are born in normal condition and without any permanent defects. Irrespective, teratogens can yield distressing permanent physical and mental penalties. Alcohol is an example of a teratogen that can result to these outcomes to a pregnant mother. Alcohol consumption by pregnant females has resulted to a disorder known as FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). FASD is a general term to denote the several effects that impact a person whose mother consumed alcohol while she was pregnant. These effects comprise of behavioral or learning disabilities, mental or physical incapacities, all which lead to lifelong issues. FASD was replace the term Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) which is commonly

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used currently. This disorder was discover in 1973 after two scholars that assesses a group of eight kids in a medical facility in University of Washington. (Shea, 2017). Out of the children, four of them showed alike growth deficiencies with reduced mental growth and smaller head size. The underlying factor which links all these kids is that all their mothers were alcoholics even during pregnancy. This disorder is widely known to cause a lot of damage to a developing brain and it is the prominent cause of mental debilities in western civilization, although it is totally preventable. Less than 10% of FAS people are capable of maintaining themselves and also living autonomously irrespective of their IQ. AN extra research on kids having Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and/or FAS proved that there is a connection between memory deficit issues and consumption of alcohol during pregnancy (Rasmussen, et al, 2009). The study also showed that spatial memory insufficiencies have been recognized in kids with FAS, as well as in rats with PAE. There is proof that kids are experiencing FASD or PAE posse deteriorated memory in both verbal and visual areas. Before the printing of the University of Washington research, the medical society didn’t regard alcohol as a hazard to regular embryonic development. Currently, additional study on children whose mothers consumed less alcohol, an ounce daily while pregnant mostly did not portray physical deficit. Nevertheless, they might have a lower IQ performance in assessment later in their childhood in contrast to kids whose mothers didn’t take alcohol (Shaffer & Kipp, 2014). Several research also exist that have linked alcohol consumption during pregnancy and emotional behavioral and physical disabilities.

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Alcohol is a harmful teratogen that has been proven to disturb the growth and development patterns. There is no acknowledged quantity of alcohol consumption during pregnancy that is known to lead to partial or complete FAS (Streissguth, et al, 1980). Consequently, alcohol abstinence is the only approach that can be used to avert an individual’s prospects of damaging a child’s development, irrespective of how little or safe the quantity is deemed. There lacks a stage in development where the PAE does not have effects, the incidence of more severe birth defects is link with alcohol exposure in the embryonic phase rather that the fetal phase (O'Neil, 2011). FAS and correlated alcohol-induced birth deficiencies are an instance of the outcome of a mother indulging on heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy. In the US, the Surgeons General warned women from consuming alcohol during pregnancy and need cautions to be labelled in all products that are alcoholic. From the study, it is prudent to deduce that teratogens have very devastating effects to a developing baby which later translated to behavioral, mental or physical disabilities. Exposure to drugs and alcohol has been discovered to have behavioral impact. Nonetheless, with the aid of the innovative technologies such as ultrasound, medical experts can now assist their patients to examine if their unborn kids possess any birth disabilities. Ultrasound also aids in detecting other anomalies as well as accurate assessment of fetal age, incidence of several pregnancies and also the sex of the fetus.

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Rasmussen, C., Pei, J., Manji, S., Loomes, C., & Andrew, G. (2009). Memory strategy development in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 12(4), 207-214. Shaffer, D. R., & Kipp, K. (2014). Developmental psychology: Childhood and adolescense (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.

Shea, K. (2017). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Increasing potential for children prenatally exposed to alcohol. International Journal of Birth & Parent Education, 4(4), 29-33. Streissguth, A. P., Landesman-Dwyer, S., Martin, J. C., & Smith, D. W. (1980). Teratogenic Effects of Alcohol in Humans and Laboratory Animals. Science, 209(4454), 353-361. M. H. Kaufman, March 1997. The Teratogenic Effects Of Alcohol Following Exposure During Pregnancy, And Its Influence On The Chromosome Constitution Of The Pre-Ovulatory Egg.Alcohol And Alcoholism, Volume 32, Issue 2, Pages 113–128, O'Neil, E. 2011. Developmental Timeline of Alcohol-Induced Birth Defects. Embryo Project Encyclopedia (2011-04-24). Arizona State University. ISSN: 1940-5030 http://embryo.asu.edu/handle/10776/2101. ....