Prenatal Factors & Neurodevelopment Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the DOHaD theory suggest about environmental factors during fetal development?

They are solely responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders.

They only influence genetic predispositions.

They have no impact on future health.

They can induce predictive adaptive responses affecting health in adulthood. (correct)

Which of the following disorders is NOT mentioned as being associated with prenatal environmental factors?

Schizophrenia

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Down Syndrome (correct)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Which factor is NOT recognized as an exogenous factor affecting neurodevelopment during pregnancy?

Genetic mutations from the father (correct)

Stress

Drug exposure

Maternal immune activation

What is the reported prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the US?

1 in 54 Signup and view all the answers

How does maternal immune activation (MIA) influence offspring health?

It can affect neurodevelopment and increase risk for disorders. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT typical of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Repetitive behaviors Signup and view all the answers

According to the fetal programming hypothesis, future health conditions are influenced by which period?

Both prenatal and postnatal developmental periods Signup and view all the answers

What role does early fetal environment play according to the DOHaD theory?

It becomes a risk factor for future diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'teratogen' refer to in the context of embryonic development?

Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following maternal factors is NOT associated with an increased risk of intellectual disability (ID)?

Maternal yoga practices Signup and view all the answers

During which period of gestation is the human embryonic brain considered particularly vulnerable to environmental influences?

First trimester (0–13 weeks) Signup and view all the answers

Advanced maternal age is defined as age greater than what number of years?

35 years Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy?

Higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Signup and view all the answers

What weight defines low birth weight (LBW)?

Less than 2500 grams Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an effect associated with prenatal exposure to tobacco?

Lowered reactivity to sensory stimulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of preterm birth in developed countries?

Spontaneous labor with intact membranes Signup and view all the answers

What condition is associated with a 2.76 times greater risk of intellectual disability when experienced by the mother during pregnancy?

Maternal epilepsy Signup and view all the answers

The period between weeks 3 to 8 of gestation is critical for what aspect of embryonic development?

Organ development Signup and view all the answers

Caffeine consumption during pregnancy is classified as what type of agent?

Teratogenic agent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a known human teratogen?

Antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

The risk of intellectual disability is highest for which category of low birth weight?

Very low birth weight (less than 1500g) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'perinatal' refer to?

During or just after birth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prenatal Factors and Neurodevelopment

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory proposes that environmental factors during development influence offspring health, including risk for later disease.
Prenatal factors that affect neurodevelopment: Maternal immune activation (MIA), stress, undernutrition, drug exposure.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Characterized by social communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. Prevalence in the US is 1.85%.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Characterized by hyperactivity, attention deficits, and impulsivity. Worldwide prevalence is 5.29%.

Prenatal vs. Perinatal

Prenatal:

Preconception Factors: Advanced maternal age (>35 years) associated with 1.53 times higher risk of intellectual disability.
Exposure to Toxins: Teratogens (agents that disturb fetal development) are most dangerous during the embryonic period (weeks 3-8). Known human teratogens include: alcohol, tobacco, chemotherapy, caffeine, cocaine, androgens, lead, mercury, radiation, and certain medications.
Maternal Infections/Illness:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with greater risk of mild-moderate and severe intellectual disability.
- Maternal diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and epilepsy also associated with increased risk of intellectual disability.

Gestational Factors - Exposure to Toxins & Maternal Illnesses

Alcohol: Associated with 1.63 times higher risk of intellectual disability and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Tobacco: Associated with 1.10 times higher risk of intellectual disability, irritability, poor self-regulation, reduced sensory reactivity, information processing deficits, and behavior problems.
Maternal Illness:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with 1.83 times greater risk of mild-moderate ID and 1.41 times greater risk of severe ID.
- Maternal diabetes: 1.15 times greater risk of ID.
- Maternal hypertension: 1.33 times greater risk of ID.
- Maternal asthma: 1.48 times greater risk of ID.
- Maternal epilepsy: 2.76 times greater risk of ID.

Developmental Stages of the Human Brain

First Trimester (0-13 weeks): Formation of the neural tube, production of neurons, and neuronal migration.
Second Trimester (14-27 weeks): Synapse formation.
Third Trimester: Production of axons, glial cells, and integration into neural circuits.

Brain Development and Risk Periods for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

First Trimester: MIA (maternal immune activation), maternal stress, and drug exposure (e.g., thalidomide, valproic acid) can increase risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Second Trimester: Continued risk period for NDDs from maternal factors.

Preterm Birth

Defined as birth before 37 weeks gestation.
Leading cause of perinatal mortality in developed countries.
Frequency is 12-13% in the USA, but lower in some other developed countries.
Major causes: spontaneous labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and medically indicated labor induction/C-section.
Associated with a 2.03 times higher likelihood of intellectual disability and a linear decrease in IQ score with shorter gestational age.

Low Birth Weight (LBW)

Defined as less than 2500 grams (5 lbs 8 oz) at birth.
Can be preterm, but some full-term babies are born LBW.
Risk factors include maternal hypertension, smoking, drug use, and poor maternal weight gain.
Associated with a 3.56 times higher likelihood of intellectual disability and a higher risk for very low birth weight (< 1500 g) than moderately low birth weight (1500-2499 g).

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Description

Test your knowledge on how prenatal factors influence neurodevelopment and the implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Explore the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease theory and the impact of maternal conditions on child health. Discover the prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD.