Question

Due to our reliance on chemicals to solve everyday problems, we live in a world in which potential teratogens are becoming more abundant. Identify and research at least three items in your home that may potentially be harmful to an unborn child and then describe potential teratogenic effects of each item.

Answer 1

HOME TERATOGENS

Teratogens are substances that my produce physical or functional defects in the human embryo.The following are three teratogens found in the home atmosphere.

FISH CONSUMPTION IN PREGNANCY AND FETAL RISK OF METHYLMERCURY TOXICITY  

Fish and other forms of sea food are important are important components of healthy diets.Fish consumption is particulary advantageous for pregnat woman because it contains relatively high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids not commonly found in other foods,as well as proteins that are essential for the developing of fetal brain.The pre-dominant drawback of fish consumption for expectant mothers is that some species of fish contain organic mercury at concentrations sufficient for high consumption to cause adverse developmental effects such as cogntive impairment in unborn child.Methylmercury found in its highest concentrations in the muscles of large and old predatory fish.Therefore woman should not consume excessive amounts of sea food in pregnancy that is no more than two weekly average size servings.Hair mercury level above 0.3ug/gram indicates potentially excessive body burden.

SMOKE

Smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby particulary in the lung and brain.

The development of Downsydrome is the subject of some controversy because this type of damges are caused by the hypoxia followed by carboxyhemoglobinemia occuring during smoking.Numerous infants die during the first months of life of the so - called suddden infant death syndrome,which can also be caused by maternal smoking and passive smoking.Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals so both active and passive smoking has considerable adverse effect in fetes.

ALCOHOL

Both alcohol and its primary metabolite ,acetaldehyde are teratogenic .Exposure during pregnancy may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome [FAS],and this is said to occur in a substantial proportion of infants born to mothers who are chronic,heavy daily drinkers.Alcohol can pass from the mother's blood into the baby's blood.It can damage and affect the growth of the baby's cells. Alcohol can cause a child to have physical or mental problems