Human Development

What are the three stages of prenatal development?

Germinal, Embryonic, Fetal.

What happens during the Germinal stage?

Conception to 2 weeks; zygote remains largely unchanged, high risk period.

What happens during the Embryonic stage?

3-8 weeks; embryo forms ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm layers.

What prenatal essentials form in the Embryonic stage?

Placenta, umbilical cord, amnion—all protect the developing fetus.

Why is the Embryonic stage high-risk?

Risk of congenital malformations and structural abnormalities.

What occurs in the early Fetal stage (3-6 months)?

Reflexes like kicking, movement, opening mouth/eyelids, fetus becomes structurally complete but immature.

What occurs in the late Fetal stage (7-9 months)?

Adipose tissue forms, brain becomes active, fetal weight triples, frequent shifting due to space constraints.

What is important for ensuring fetal safety?

Assess risk factors, promote maternal/fetal health, and implement medical/psychosocial interventions.

What are key risk factors during pregnancy?

Genetic diseases, age-related risks, teratogen exposure.

What are possible complications from prenatal risk factors?

Malformations, deformities, chromosomal abnormalities, SIDS, low birth weight, respiratory/circulatory issues.

What is a teratogen?

An agent or factor that causes malformation of an embryo.

How does alcohol affect fetal development?

Can lead to mental retardation, impacts all stages, no safe threshold.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

Birth defects from alcohol exposure; low IQ, attention deficits, stunted physical growth.

What is ARND?

Alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder; milder than FAS, causes speech and motor delays.

What is NAS?

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; withdrawal symptoms in newborns—irritability, tremors, hyperactivity.

How does tobacco use affect pregnancy?

Leads to low birth weight, miscarriage, placental abruption, early birth.

What does carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke do?

Reduces hemoglobin, causes fetal hypoxia and growth retardation.

What are postnatal effects of tobacco exposure?

SIDS, respiratory issues, breastfeeding difficulties, developmental delays.

Can OTC drugs affect pregnancy?

Yes; not as dangerous, but should be used with caution (e.g., aspirin, Aleve).

What are ACES?

Adverse Childhood Experiences—trauma like abuse, neglect, divorce, loss, etc.

What effects do ACES have?

Toxic stress, teen pregnancy, infant mortality, injury, and lasting effects on health and opportunity.

What is the ACE score?

Measure of adverse experiences; higher score means higher risk of poor adult health outcomes.

How can ACES be prevented or mitigated?

Stable relationships, nurturing caregivers, safe environments.

What are modifiable risk factors?

Health behaviors controlled by external choices like diet, exercise, and substance use.

What are examples of modifiable risk factors?

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, body weight, physical activity, nutrition, blood pressure, blood sugar.