Alcohol As a Teratogen

Alcohol As a Teratogen

Introduction

            Pregnancy is a delicate phase for people and their families. Every woman or couple expects to bear a healthy child. During pregnancy, women interact with various elements within their environments. In most cases, they are unaware that some of these elements pose a danger to the development of the fetus. The lack of understanding regarding teratogens and how they work places more women and unborn children at risk of poor development. It is important to highlight the sensitivity of the embryo stage of pregnancy towards the different teratogens such as alcohol. Hire our assignment writing services in case your assignment is devastating you.

Teratogens

            A teratogen is an agent with the potential to cause birth defects. The abnormality is induced once the fetus is exposed to the teratogen. Teratogens can take any form and are found in the environment that an expectant mother occupies. Examples of teratogens include prescribed medicine, street drugs, disease, or alcohol. Teratogens mainly interfere with the normal development of the uterus. An agent is only identified as a teratogen once it has been established as a significant contributor to certain abnormalities at birth. Some of the recognized teratogenic drugs include ACE inhibitors, alcohol, anticonvulsants, cigarettes, cocaine, Cyclosporin, warfarin, Fluconazole, Heroin, Isotretinoin, Lithium, and Tetracycline. Metals that act as teratogens include mercury, iodine, and lead. Radiation treatments also expose expectant women to teratogens. Deficiencies, procedures, infections of the intrauterine, and maternal illnesses are also recognized teratogens (Hall, 2016).

Alcohol as a Teratogen

            Alcohol that contains methanol is identified as a teratogen. Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy exposes the mother to ethanol, which is easily transferred to the growing fetus. Prenatal development takes place in two phases: the embryonic and fetal stages. The first eight weeks after fertilization of the egg comprise the embryonic stage. The remaining period of gestation is the fetal stage. After fertilization, the embryo and the mother share a common supply of blood. It is possible for alcohol to cross over from the mother’s blood into the embryo (Children’s Wisconsin, 2021). Alcohol is identified as dangerous or harmful to the central nervous system. It causes the embryo’s brain development, especially during the initial two weeks of pregnancy. Excessive alcohol consumption can affect the zygote and pre-embryo negatively. It can also affect the implantation in the uterus. Improper implantation leads to a higher likelihood of termination of the pregnancy. If the pregnancy does not terminate naturally, the birth defects that are related to alcohol begin to emerge during the third week. One of the most common abnormalities that result from alcohol are found on the midline facial. This abnormality occurs due to interference with the cell population of the cranial neural crest. As the pregnancy progresses into the third trimester, persistent exposure to alcohol displays a symmetric effect on the different parts of the fetus (O’Neil, 2011).

Impact of Teratogen

            Alcohol’s most significant impact on pregnant women and their unborn children is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Diagnosis of FAS is based on three criteria: growth deficiency, CNS disorders, and abnormal features of the face. Microcephaly is one of the most common growth deficiency observations. Such deficiencies are characterized by small heights and head sizes that are below the standard. Other indications include low body weight, poor memory, learning disabilities, low IQ, hyperactivity, poor coordination, sleeping problems during the infant stage, vision and hearing difficulties, and problems with the bones, kidneys, and heart. Exposure to alcohol during the prenatal stage increases the likelihood of neuropsychological impairments in children. In real life, prenatal exposure to alcohol may manifest through actions that are not well thought out due to poor judgment and reasoning. Problem-solving can present a real difficulty for such children. The low or average IQ, difficulty in reasoning and making proper judgment, learning disabilities, and lack of ability to plan activities in a sequence explain the poor academic performance of students who have been diagnosed with FAS or were exposed to alcohol during the prenatal stage (Mattson, Schoenfeld, & Riley, 2020). These effects tend to affect the individual over their lifetime and can only be managed using different mechanisms.

Preventions and Interventions

            Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) can be avoided completely if pregnant women do not consume alcohol. There is no level of alcohol consumption that is established as responsible for FASD. This means that total avoidance of alcohol may be the most effective prevention measure. Pregnant women who are struggling with addiction can utilize the various platforms that are created for such issues. These include Drink Line, We Are with You, and Alcoholics Anonymous (NHS, 2020). Upon occurrence, FASD can only be managed since there are known treatments. It is impossible to reverse the damage to the child’s CNS, brain, facial formation, and other organs. However, early diagnosis is important because it can make a significant difference. Various behavioral interventions that parents can learn are important in enabling coping with the child’s differences and challenges. This ensures that the affected child develops optimally in the emotional, social, and psychological aspects (NHS, 2020). While the development may not be normal, it is close due to early diagnosis and interventions.

Conclusions

The embryonic stage of pregnancy is highly sensitive to teratogens. Teratogens are capable of negatively interfering with the development of the fetus. They are found in the pregnant woman’s environment. Alcohol is mostly risky to the growing fetus during the embryonic stage of pregnancy. FASD is one of the most common effects that result from the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. It manifests in physical developments that are below healthy standards, behavioral problems, low IQ, poor coordination, hyperactivity, and other neuropsychological impairments. Avoidance of alcohol during pregnancy is the most effective strategy for women who wish to evade FASD. In case of occurrence, early diagnosis is important, and consequent adoption of various behavioral interventions improves the social, emotional, and psychological development of the child. I have learned that there are numerous teratogens within the environment, which requires a close examination of various elements that a pregnant woman interacts with during this phase.

References

Children’s Wisconsin. (2021). Teratogens. Retrieved from Children’s Wisconsin: https://childrenswi.org/medical-care/genetics-and-genomics-program/medical-genetics/teratogens

Hall, J. G. (2016). Pediatric Diseases and Epigenetics. In Medical Epigenetics (pp. 415-442). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803239-8.00023-5

Mattson, S. N., Schoenfeld, A. M., & Riley, E. P. (2020). Teratogenic Effects of Alcohol on Brain and Behavior. Retrieved from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-3/185-191.htm

NHS. (2020). Foetal alcohol syndrome. Retrieved from NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foetal-alcohol-syndrome/

O’Neil, E. (2011). Developmental Timeline of Alcohol-Induced Birth Defects.

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Alcohol As a Teratogen

Benchmark – Early Childhood Essay

Physical development in the womb has a strong impact on future physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development throughout the lifespan. There are many toxins in the environment that can impact physical development and have a long-term impact. For this essay, you will examine the short-term and long-term impact of teratogens on an individual.

Using the attached template, write a 700-1,050-word essay the short-term and long-term impact of teratogens on an individual:

Definition of teratogens.
Description of a specific teratogen.
Impact of the teratogen on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Explain how different physical and behavioral health roles can aid those who have been exposed to the teratogen in order to reduce symptoms and increase quality of life.
Conclusions.
Include a minimum of two scholarly resources outside of the course textbook.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:

BS Behavioral Science

1.4: Examine various behavioral health emphasis areas and their role in behavioral health.