Development and Ageing Flashcards
state 3 types of prenatal stresses that are associated with increased risk of changes to cognitive development and behaviour in the child?
Anxiety and depression Maternal daily hassles Pregnancy specific anxiety Domestic abuse Distress caused by war Acute disasters eg. hurricane
State 3 different effects on the child of prenatal stress.
- Anxiety and depression
- ADHD, conduct disorder and other behavioural problems
- Impaired cognitive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Victimisation in childhood
- Autism spectrum
- Personality disorder
- Preterm delivery
What is the effect of 11-βHSD2 release in mother?
Breaks down cortisol in placenta and allows more cortisol to pass to fetus
What patterns are observed in children with increased in utero cortisol?
fMRI studies show: Reduced attention, Increased anxiety
BSID2 - Lower cognitive function
Sensitive early mothering can reverse effects of high in utero cortisol
State 2 other MRI studies and the changes shown for children with increased prenatal stress
- Structural MRI: Thinner cortex ( associated with depression and cognitive problems), Enlarged amygdyla ( associated with increased anxiety)
- Diffusion MRI: Alterations in uncinate fasciculus which connects amygdyla with frontal cortex ( associated with mood disorders and antisocial behaviour)
what is the effect of breastfeeding on child development?
- Exclusive breastfeeding at one month improves, IQ ( 3 points) and hyperactivity at 8 years
- but not emotional problems and conduct disorder after allowing for confounders
How is preeclampsia diagnosed?
New onset hypertension (>140/90) + proteinuria or end organ dysfunction (order LFTS and kidney function tests) after 20th week of pregnancy
what are the symptoms and signs of preeclampsia?
- Reduced fetal movement and or amniotic fluid volume (by ultrasound)
- Oedema common but not discriminatory for PE
- Headache, abdominal pain
- visual disturbances, seizures and breathlessness associated with severe PE
What are the different forms of preeclampsia? distinguish between them
Early onset <34 weeks -> fetal and maternal symptoms, changes in placental structure
Late onset > 34 weeks -> more common, mostly maternal symptoms, no placental changes, less fetal risk
What maternal risk factors may predispose to developing PE?
- Pre-existing hypertension/gestational, diabetes, CKD, autoimmune disorders, age >40, race, BMI >30, PCOS, subfertility,
- family history, previous pregnancy with pre-eclampsia
- multiple pregnancy, first pregnancy, new paternity
- IVF
What are the risks of PE to the fetus and the mother during pregnancy?
- Placental abruption
- coagulopathy, renal failure, pulmonary oedema, uteroplacental insufficiency
- May lead to Eclampsia (PE + seizures), HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelets).
- Fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, still birth
What structural/developmental changes in the placenta are believed to underpin pre-eclampsia?
Abnormal placenta spiral arteries/reduced conversion -> endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction and ischemia
EVT invasion of maternal spiral arteries is limited to decidual layer -> restricted placental perfusion
How might soluble Flt1 (aka soluble VEGF1R) and PLGF contribute to the maternal symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Increased levels of placental Flt1 trap circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PLGF) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) decreasing their free levels, leading to endothelial dysfunction by preventing their interaction with endothelial cell surface receptors.
describe tests carried out to predict the likelihood of Pre-eclampsia
PLGF <100 pg/ml is abnormal. Increased risk of preterm delivery.
PLGF >100 pg/ml is normal. Unlikely to progress to delivery within 14 days of the test.
sFlt-1/PLGF ratio > 38 = increased risk of preeclampsia
What management options are available for women who develop PE during pregnancy?
- Antihypertensives
- IV magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures.
- Immediate delivery - eclampsia, HELLP syndrome
<34 weeks -> try and maintain pregnancy. Give corticosteroids to promote fetal lung development before delivery
> 37 weeks -> delivery preferable
In between 34-37 -> case by case
Are there preventative measures that can be taken to avoid PE developing?
Weight loss
Exercise throughout pregnancy
Low-dose aspirin from 11-14 weeks for high risk groups
Are there any ongoing risks to the mother after pregnancy with preeclampsia?
Elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, T2DM, renal disease.
Recurrence of PE in next pregnancy
Describe 3 ways in which humans adapt
Homeostasis
Developmental plasticity - changes in neural connections
Selection
What is the Barker hypothesis?
The seeds of most diseases are sown during organogenesis and periods of rapid cell division
Give 2 examples of challenges that a fetus may face in utero that may affect long term health
Infection Maternal malnutrition Maternal illness Maternal medication Environmental factors
State some adult diseases that are affected by foetal programming
Allergic and auto-immune diseases
Cancer
Lung disease
Diabetes type 2
give examples screening tests during or after pregnancy as part of the NHS screening programme
diagram in notes
How is COPD diagnosed?
FEV1/FVC ratio <70%
State some factors that affect FEV in children
More rapid FEV decline - born in winter, smoking mothers
Less rapid FEV decline - day-care attendance, pets