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06.10.2013 Feature Article

HAZARDS TO FETAL DEVELOPMENT

HAZARDS TO FETAL DEVELOPMENT
06.10.2013 LISTEN

Although the mother's protective womb and the structures of the placenta provide considerable protection to the developing human organism, there are many potential hazards to prenatal growth. These hazards can have a devastating impact on the embryo or fetus, especially in the early months of development, when organ systems and body structures are the most unstable and vulnerable. Substances that can harm the embryo or fetus and cause birth defects or death are called teratogens.

Two factors are important in determining the impact that a particular teratogen might have on the developing human. First, the timing of exposure determines how the body is harmed or if, in fact, any damage occurs at all. Physical systems that are especially vulnerable early in prenatal growth, such as the heart and major limbs, may not be significantly affected later in development when they have matured more. Second, the amount of exposure determines the extent of harm that may occur. The frequency and severity of exposure to teratogens often directly predicts the extent of damage to the fetus. Moreover, hazards can interact with one another, so that limited exposures to several potential harms can have a compounding effect.

There are many kinds of potential harms. Viruses and bacteria that cause disease in the mother can cross the placental barrier to infect and damage the fetus. These include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the organisms that cause syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. German measles (rubella) in the mother in early pregnancy can cause severe defects in the fetus, such as blindness, deafness, heart problems, and brain damage. An early visit at a focused ante natal care provider may help prevent these hazards from harming the unborn. They usually have informative talks and conduct screening for mothers at risk and refer when necessary. This is done by trained frontline health workers and mostly nurse midwives who do their best to inspire confidence in their clients.

Included in the informative package are information on certain medicinal drugs, such as aspirin and antidepressants, which may harm the fetus, and maternal use of psychoactive drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana that can cause long-term behavioral problems or learning disabilities in the child. If we are to pick a leaf from our own Zambian society, aspirin is one of the most abused drugs for back door abortions followed by metronidazole or flagyl due to their teratogenic effect or potential to cause an abortion. Calfemol a counter painkiller in some circles is been used as an emergency contraceptive taken within 24 hours after sexual intercourse. Though the efficacy of such may be questionable, the toxicity effect it has on a growing embryo may be the reason for its use .Moderate or heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can cause serious damage to the fetus, including fetal alcohol syndrome, and use of tobacco is also emphasized as it can impair fetal growth and lead to other complications. The mother's exposure to lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other industrial chemicals, for example, drinking contaminated water or eating fish from polluted waters can harm prenatal growth and cause birth defects because these substances are absorbed by the fetus.

Finally, nutritional deficiencies in the mother's diet can harm the growing fetus. Folic acid deficiency, for example, can lead to neural tube defects such as spina bifida. As knowledge of potential hazards to prenatal development grows, expectant mothers and their partners can better develop healthy habits that increase their chances of having a healthy baby. At the moment of childbirth, every woman has the same aura of isolation, as though she were abandoned, alone but motherhood becomes a thorn out of the fresh when the breath taking and energy consuming efforts are consoled by a caring partner, family and nation at large. The path of pregnancy is a challenging one which makes it reasonable for every mother to take necessary measures to have a child that adds value to the world and people around. Consequently, it suffices to say that there's only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it hence the need to guard them against prenatal hazards. In addition, having children appears to be the fundamental duty of women. If a woman can't have a child herself, she must at least have one to adopt. Women and children, mother and child are things that belong together as naturally as heaven and earth. If motherhood meant to secure the lives of the unborn from hazards, then we are yet to write a book but for now we can share the few facts about 'hazards to a developing fetus'.

JONES. H. MUNANG'ANDU (author)
Motivational speaker, health commentator &
Health practitioner
Mobile; 0966565670/0979362525

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