3 ARTICLES on TERATOGENS AND FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Article #1

What Are Birth Defects And Can You Prevent Them?

DESCRIPTION

This particular website provides a straight forward simple informative understanding of what birth defects are, the causes, and prevention.  It can be used in conjunction with the developmental chapters of the textbook and used as part of the nature-nurture discussion.  Though this is presented by a particular health care company, the information, especially regarding prevention, can be helpful to students as an adjunct to the text book information on prenatal development.

SOURCE

Live Well (Unity Health website)

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=25ac9e53-7384-4230-a516-c1e81df7c05e

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/grwr7g6

Article #2

CDC Warns Of Fetal Alcohol Exposure, Says Drinking Any Time In Pregnancy Is Risky

DESCRIPTION

WBUR is the PBS radio station in Boston, MA.  Recently the station featured an article on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the effects of exposure during pregnancy.  This is an extremely informative article that will be useful in conjunction with the textbook chapters on early development.  Additionally because the topic is about alcohol, the information can also be used as part of the abnormal/psychopathology chapters focused on the effects of addiction.  The article can serve as a starting point for students interested in the topic and who might use the source as the beginnings of a lit review for a paper on the topic.

SOURCE

WBUR’s Common Health, February 2, 2016, by Rachel Zimmerman

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2016/02/fetal-alcohol-exposure-pregnancy-risk

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/zg392h2

Article #3

10 Zika Facts You Need to Know Now

DESCRIPTION

Much has been written and broadcasted about the Zika virus and it’s affects on the developing fetus.   This virus, in terms of fetal development, is a cause of microcephaly — a serious and “severe neurological birth defect.”  As such it is considered a teratogen in that normal development of the brain and head in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy are disrupted thus causing the birth defect.  The article provides up-to-date facts.  This article, along with the other two articles in this post, can be used in conjunction with teaching about the first stages of development as found in the textbook.  It provides a factual basis for teaching about the topic.

SOURCE

Time, May 4, 2016, by Alexandra Sifferlin

LINK TO RESOURCE

http://time.com/4318624/zika-virus-and-birth-defects-what-you-need-to-know/

(Tiny URL)  http://tinyurl.com/j9y3o9s

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What is a teratogen?   (field of teratology)
•Why is it of interest to Psychologists?
•How do Psychologists study teratogens and birth defects?
•What are some of the common teratogens and their effects?
•What is recommended as prevention?
•Specifically what are the effects of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs?
•What is the Zika virus?  What are the effects?  What is microcephaly?