The Child & Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles

Module 4
Lesson 1: Pre-natal Development Period, Teratology
and Hazards

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you must have:
traced the development of the pre-natal process that you went through; &
explicated the most common hazardous occurrences to pre-natal development

Introduction

Human life commences at the moment of conception. Its development is a great mystery that
no one could ever fathom. This matter is a vital topic in education. It is given much emphasis because
education deals enormously with children. With this concept, it is important to study how a child passes
through the course of development from womb. This lesson will lead you to the developmental period
before birth and the hazards of pregnancy.

ACTIVATE

Why are pregnant mothers advised to abstain from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine on the period
of the embryonic development?

ACQUIRE

Pre-natal Development Period

The development of human life in the womb of a woman remained a great clandestine until
scientific and medical intervention came into existence. Here are the stages of pre-natal development,
which is divided into three (3) periods-germinal, embryonic and fetal.
According to Corpuz, et al (2018), the germinal period during the first 2 Weeks after
conception includes the creation of the zygote, continued cell division, and the attachment of the
 The Child & Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles

zygote to the uterine wall. In the germinal period, the differentiation of the cells happens as the inner
(blastocyst) and outer layers (trophoblastic) which provides nutritious elements for the embryo,
gradually form. In the embryonic period during 2-8 weeks after conception where zygote becomes
embryo, cell differentiation intensifies, life-support systems, and organs appear.

As the zygote gets attached to the wall of the uterus, two layers of cells are made. The
embryo’s endoderm, the inner layer of cells, develops into the digestive and respiratory systems. The
outer layer of cells is divided into 2 parts (ectoderm and mesoderm). The process of organ formation
during the first 2 months of pregnancy is dubbed organogenesis.

As the three layers of the embryo form, the support systems for the embryo develop rapidly.
These life-support systems are the placenta, umbilical cord, and amnion. The placenta consists of a
disk-shaped group of tissues in which small blood vessels from the mother and the offspring
intertwine but do not join. The umbilical cord contains 2 arteries and one vein that connects the baby
to the placenta. The amnion is a bag or an envelope that contains a clear fluid in which the developing
embryo floats. All these embryo life-support systems develop from the fertilized egg and not from the
mother’s body. According to Santrock (2002), the fetal period during the 2 months to 7 months after
conception is the time when growth and development continue intensely.

Teratology and Hazard to Prenatal Development

Teratology is a science dealing with adverse effects of the environment on developing systems,
namely on germ cells, embryos, fetuses, and immature individuals (Wilson, 1973). It investigates the
causes of congenital (birth) defects. Various clusters of hazards to the development are as follows:

Prescription and nonprescription drugs. These include prescription as well as non-

prescription drugs. Antibiotic is a prescription drug. Diet pills and aspirin are harmful non- prescription
drugs, and coffee is a harmful non-prescription beverage.

Psychoactive drugs. These include nicotine, caffeine and illegal drugs as marijuana, cocaine
and heroin. Researchers found that pregnant women who drank more caffeinated coffee were more
likely to have preterm deliveries and newborn babies with lower birth weight compared to their
counterparts who did not drink caffeinated coffee.

Environmental hazards. Radiation and X-rays, environmental pollutants, toxic wastes, and
prolonged exposure to heat in saunas and bath tubs are hazardous factors during pregnancy. Research
found that chromosomal abnormalities are higher among the offspring of fathers exposed to high levels
of radiation.

Other maternal factors. Rubella (German Measles), syphilis, genital herpes, AIDS,
nutrition, high anxiety, stress, and age bring about hazard to pregnancy.

Maternal Malnutrition. During pregnancy malnutrition may result to fetal inadequate

growth. It is important to give sufficient nourishment to the fetus so that the rate of cell division will
not be hampered.

Insufficient folic acid. Pregnant mothers need folic acid. Enough of it reduces the risk of
defective birth of a baby in the brain and spinal cord (neural tube). A case where defective neural tube
as indicated by unclosed spine is called spina bifida

Paternal Factors. Lead, radiation, pesticides, and petrochemicals exposure may lead
abnormalities of sperm causing miscarriage or diseases such as childhood can
 The Child & Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles

APPLY

Activity 1

Name: Date:

Student Number: Section Code: Rating:

Instructions: Trace the pre-natal process. Write the stages in the flow chart.