Fetal Effects From Maternal Exposures
As previously mentioned, conditions the mother is exposed to during pregnancy have the potential to damage to the developing fetus (ATSDR, 2012). Even exposure to seemingly harmless levels of substances can cause toxins to be stored within the mother’s body, where they are then transferred to the fetus via the placenta and cause damage to the delicate structures (ATSDR, 2012). Substances which have been found to be particularly harmful are lead (which is stored in the mother’s bones), cigarette smoke, mercury (a neurological toxicant consumed through fish), carbon dioxide, and ionizing radiation (ATSDR,2012). Factors such as heat and noise have also been found to have significant effects on development (ATSDR, 2012).
Read more about this topic: Environmental Toxins And Fetal Development
Famous quotes containing the words effects and/or maternal:
“Consider what effects which might conceivably have practical bearings we conceive the object of our conception to have. Then our conception of these effects is the whole of our conception of the object.”
—Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914)
“Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations, as all other causes combined.”
—John Abbott. The Mother at Home; or the Principles of Maternal Duty, John Abbott, Crocker and Brewster (1833)