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Causes of Birth Defects

Almost 20 percent of deaths in newborns are caused by birth defects. Many act as teratogens, that is, they can cause birth defects. A teratogen is any substance which causes abnormal development of the egg in the motherÆs womb. Each organ has a critical period in its development when it is susceptible to teratogens if they reach a critical level. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs, either medicinal or recreational, can act as teratogens.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) appears in 30 percent to 40 percent of babies born to chronic alcoholics (Teratogens). Another 50 percent to 70 percent of such babies may suffer from fetal alcohol effects, which are milder than FAS. To be diagnosed with FAS a baby must show: growth retardation; central nervous system problems; a characteristic facial appearance, with a small head, flat facial profile, and thin upper lip; other major birth defects (heart, gastrointestinal, etc.); and children with FAS have failure to thrive, mild to moderate mental retardation, and behavior problems. Constant exposure to cigarette smoke decreases the amount of oxygen crossing the placenta and can lead to low birth weight and premature babies.

If a woman smokes marijuana during pregnancy, the fetus is put at risk for low birth rate, developmental difficulties, and drug addiction (Marijuana). One study showed that marijuana use by pregnant women is associated with slow embryo growth and spontaneous abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. Other studies have shown a syndrome similar to fetal alcohol syndrome in the babies of mothers who smoked marijuana during pregnancy, such as abnormally shaped heads, small size, and nervous system difficulties. Research also suggests that the fetuses of teen mothers may be more susceptible than those of adult mothers to the effects of marijuana, especially during the first trimester. Also, tetrahydrocannabinol, (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, can be passed al...

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Causes of Birth Defects. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:04, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1713155.html