Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a teratogen?
What is a teratogen?
Which of the following factors are linked to increased risks during pregnancy?
Which of the following factors are linked to increased risks during pregnancy?
At what maternal age is pregnancy generally considered to be the healthiest?
At what maternal age is pregnancy generally considered to be the healthiest?
What percentage of congenital abnormalities have unknown causes?
What percentage of congenital abnormalities have unknown causes?
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What is the recommended sleeping pattern for neonates?
What is the recommended sleeping pattern for neonates?
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Which of the following nutritional issues can lead to risks during pregnancy?
Which of the following nutritional issues can lead to risks during pregnancy?
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Which feeding pattern is typical for neonates?
Which feeding pattern is typical for neonates?
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How much of an increase in IQ could result from eliminating malnutrition, according to South African Health Systems Trust?
How much of an increase in IQ could result from eliminating malnutrition, according to South African Health Systems Trust?
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Study Notes
Prenatal Influences
- 50% of congenital abnormalities have unknown causes.
- Teratogens are external factors negatively impacting prenatal development.
- Teratogen impact depends on: exposure timing, genetic vulnerability, severity, and specific teratogen.
- Damage may not be apparent at birth.
Environmental Factors Affecting Development
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Parental Age:
- 20-35 is ideal.
- Teen mothers (especially under 15) and mothers over 35 have increased risks.
- Older mothers (over 35) require good physical, nutritional, and psychological health.
- Paternal age also significant (generally, under 40 is healthier).
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Maternal Nutrition:
- Essential due to child's complete dependency.
- Malnutrition (inadequate or imbalanced diet) risks: stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth, deformities, delayed growth, and death in first year.
- Elimination of malnutrition could boost population IQ by 10-15 points (South African Health Systems Trust).
- Overnutrition can also be a risk factor.
- Radiation, Infections, Medications, and Maternal Emotional State: These factors can all negatively impact prenatal development.
Neonatal Development
- Sleep: Neonates sleep 16-18 hours daily, with roughly 50% in REM sleep (compared to about 20% in adults).
- Feeding: Infants feed 8-14 times daily, with intervals of 1.5-5 hours.
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Learning:
- Rapid learning through classical and operant conditioning.
- Imitation of facial expressions (e.g., smiling, frowning) observed within 36 hours after birth.
- Temperament: Some differences are noticeable even before birth.
Infancy (0-2 Years)
- Development Areas: Physical, cognitive, personality, and social.
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Physical Development:
- Head growth slower than body.
- Weight doubles every 4-5 months in the first year, slowing in the second.
- Average height around 72 cm.
- Fontanels close.
- Teeth erupt between 6-8 months.
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Description
Explore the impact of prenatal influences and environmental factors on development. This quiz covers teratogens, parental age, maternal nutrition, and their effects on congenital abnormalities and child development. Understand how these elements can shape health outcomes from birth and beyond.
