Risk and protective factors related to prenatal development such as maternal diet and the effects of smoking and alcohol during pregnancy.

Question 1

Risk factors related to prenatal development:

Answer 1

1. Alcohol use (during pregnancy)
   - Can cause infertility (limit alcohol consumption even when trying to conceive)
   - Alcohol crosses the placenta to the baby’s blood
   - Restricts blood supply to foetus
   - Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
2. Parental smoking and Tabacco smoke in the home
   - Chemicals from cigarettes reduce oxygen flow to placenta and exposes foetus to toxins
   - Increases risk of spontaneous abortion, LBW, birth defects, mortality)
   - Passive smoking can lead to the same H&W impacts as maternal smoking

Question 2

Protective factors related to prenatal development:

Answer 2

1. Folate
   - Required for DNA synthesis, formation of red blood cells and development of the NS of the foetus
   - Reduces the risk of neural tube defects (neural tube houses the brain and spinal cord of the embryo)
   - Spinal bifida is the most common NTD and occurs when the neural tube fails to close during the development of embryo (involves walking difficulties, incontinence, deformities)
   - Sources of folate include: green leafy vegetables, eggs, cereals, citrus fruits, and legumes

2.Iron
- Iron required due to the increased demand for oxygen for the foetus as well as increased energy needs of the mother