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Posted: December 27th, 2022
ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC IMPACT ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC IMPACT ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Fetal development is the process by which a baby grows and develops inside the mother’s womb from fertilization until birth. During this process, the fetus is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors refer to the conditions and influences that a fetus is exposed to during pregnancy, while genetic factors refer to the inherited traits and characteristics that are passed down from the parents to the child.
Environmental factors that can impact fetal development include:
Maternal health: The mother’s overall health and well-being during pregnancy can have a significant impact on fetal development. Factors such as nutrition, stress, and exposure to toxins or infections can affect the fetus.
Maternal behaviors: The mother’s behaviors during pregnancy, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs, can have negative effects on fetal development.
Maternal environment: The mother’s physical environment during pregnancy, including factors such as air quality, exposure to radiation, and access to medical care, can also impact fetal development.
Genetic factors that can impact fetal development include:
Chromosomes: Chromosomes are the structures in cells that contain genetic information. Abnormalities or mutations in chromosomes can cause genetic disorders or birth defects.
Genes: Genes are the units of inheritance that carry information about specific traits or characteristics. Some genes are dominant, which means that they will be expressed even if only one copy is inherited from a parent. Other genes are recessive, which means that they will only be expressed if two copies are inherited from both parents.
Genetic testing: Prenatal genetic testing can be used to identify potential genetic abnormalities or birth defects in the fetus. This can help parents make informed decisions about their pregnancy and prepare for the care of a child with special needs.
It is important to note that both environmental and genetic factors can interact and influence each other during fetal development. For example, a genetic predisposition to a certain condition may be more likely to manifest if the fetus is exposed to certain environmental factors during pregnancy. On the other hand, exposure to certain environmental factors during pregnancy may increase the risk of certain genetic mutations or abnormalities.
Understanding the impact of both environmental and genetic factors on fetal development is important for the care and well-being of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. It can also help healthcare providers identify and address potential risks or complications that may arise during pregnancy, and it can help parents make informed decisions about their pregnancy and the care of their child.
Both environmental and genetic influences impact fetal development. Some substances (e.g., folic acid, hormones, etc.) have the biggest influence at sensitive periods during gestation. Early in gestation, when neurological development is at its peak, folic acid is most important. Hormones, such as androgen and estrogen, are necessary for external genital differentiation between 9 and 12 weeks of gestation. Prenatal alcohol exposure, however, can impact fetal growth at any time during gestation. On the other hand, environmental influences such as maternal genetics, nutrition, health, and immunization can have a positive impact on fetal development, mitigating the impact of substances and other negative influences. In addition to environmental influences, you must also consider the impact of genetic influences. Genes determine not only an individual’s physical features at birth—they also contribute to hormonal processes throughout the lifespan. The interaction of environmental influences and genetic influences impacts the development of a fetus.For this Discussion, you will examine environmental and genetic influences on fetal development.Post a brief description of the genetic influence and the environmental influence you selected. Then, explain how the environmental influence might positively or negatively affect the development of a fetus with the genetic influence you selected. Be specific and provide examples. Use your Learning Resources to support your post. Use proper APA format and citations.
References
Berk, L. E. (2023). Development through the lifespan (7th ed.). Sage.
Chapter 2, “Genetic and Environmental Foundations” (pp. 42-72)
Chapter 3, “Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn Baby” (pp. 74-111)
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Grace, T., Bulsara, M., Robinson, M., & Hands, B. (2015). The impact of maternal gestational stress on motor development in late childhood and adolescence: A longitudinal study Download The impact of maternal gestational stress on motor development in late childhood and adolescence: A longitudinal study. Child Development, 87(1), 211–220. Credit Line: The Impact of Maternal Gestational Stress on Motor Development in Late Childhood and Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study by Grace, T., Bulsara, M., Robinson, M., & Hands, B., in Child Development, 2015/October. Copyright 2015 by John Wiley & Sons-Journals. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons-Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tegan_Grace/publication/282873739_The_Impact_of_Maternal_Gestational_Stress_on_Motor_Development_in_Late_Childhood_and_Adolescence_A_Longitudinal_Study/links/56244b7d08ae70315b5db881.pdf
March of Dimes Foundation Links to an external site.. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.marchofdimes.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Birth defects Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/index.html