DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

HEREDITY,
PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT,
BIRTH
ASK
YOURSELF:
What shapes you?
Why are you the way you are?
Are these features hereditary,
environmental factors, or both?
- Height
- Weight
- Personality
- Being diabetic
Basic building
block of the
nature Located on the
perspective chromosomes

There are an
Genes are
estimated 20,500
specific
genes for
sequence of
humans,
nucleotides and
according to the
are recipes for
Human Genome
making
Project
proteins.

GENES
Normal Human Cells
contain 46
chromosomes (or 23
pairs; one from each
parent) in the nucleus
of the cells.
Normal human cells contain 46 chromosomes (or 23 pairs;
one from each parent) in the nucleus of the cells.
Mitosis Meiosis

The cells used in sexual reproduction, called the

After conception, most cells of the body are created by
gametes (sperm or ova), are formed in this process. The
this process. It is defined as the cell’s nucleus making an
gamete’s chromosomes duplicate, and then divide twice
exact copy of all the chromosomes and splitting into two
resulting in four cells containing only half the genetic
new cells.
material
Of the 23 pairs of chromosomes created at conception, 22 pairs are similar in length
which is called AUTOSOMES.
If a child If a child
receives the receives the
combination of combination of
XY, the child XX the child
will be will be
genetically genetically
male. female.
GENOTYPES
• Refers to the sum total of all
the genes a person inherits
• An organism’s genetic
information
PHENOTYPE
• Refers to the features that
are actually expressed.
• Set of observable physical
traits
Homozygous
We may receive either the same
version of a gene from our mother
and father
Some genes are
Dominant
They express themselves in the
phenotype even when paired with a
different versions of a gene
Heterozygous
We receive a different version of the
gene from each parent. It becomes clear
that not all genes are created equal.
While their silent partner is called
Recessive genes
Express themselves only when paired
with a similar version gene
Geneticists refer to different versions of a gene as ALLELES
Most characteristics are not the result of a single
gene;

They are the result of several genes. Sometimes, the dominant gene does not
completely supress the recessive gene
TWO TYPES OF TWINS
MONOZYGOTIC OR IDENTICAL – occur DIZYGOTIC OR FRATERNAL TWINS –
when a fertilized egg splits apart in the two eggs or ova are released and
first two weeks of development fertilized by two separate sperm
GENETIC DISORDERS
 GENETIC DISORDERS

AUTOSOMAL
RECESSIVE
DOMINANT SEX-LINKED
DISORDERS
DISORDERS DISORDERS
(HOMOZYGOUS)
(HETEROZYGOUS)

GENE-LINKED
DISORDERS
Recessive Disorders (Homozygous): The individual inherits a gene change from change from
both parents. If the gene is inherited from just one parent, the person is a carrier and does CASES PER BIRTH
not have the condition.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a condition in which the red blood cells in the body are shaped 1 in 500 Black births
like a sickle (like the letter C) and affect the ability of the blood to transport oxygen. Carriers 1 in 36 000 Hispanic
may experience some effects, but do not have the full condition. births
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a condition that affects breathing and digestion due to thick mucus 1 in 3500
building up in the body, especially the lungs and digestive system. In CF, the mucus is thicker
than normal and sticky.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder in which the individual cannot metabolize 1 in 10 000
phenylalanine, an amino acid. Left untreated intellectual deficits occur. PKU is easily detected
and is treated with a special diet.
Tay Sachs Disease is caused by enzyme deficiency resulting in the accumulation of lipids in 1 in 4000
the nerve cells of the brain. This accumulation results in progressive damage to the cells and 1 in 30 American
a decrease in cognitive and physical development. Death typically occurs by age five. Jews is a carrier
1 in 20 French
Canadians is a carrier
Albinism is when the individual lacks melanin and possesses little to no pigment in the skin, Fewer than 20,000
hair, and eyes. Vision problems can also occur. US cases per year
Sickle Cell Disease
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Phenylketonuria
(SCD)

Tay Sachs Disease Albinism

Autosomal Dominant Disorders (Heterozygous): In order to have the disorder, the Cases per Birth
individual only needs to inherit the gene change from one parent.

Huntington’s Disease is a condition that affects the individual’s nervous system. 1 in 10,000
Nerve cells become damaged, causing various parts of the brain to deteriorate. The
disease

Tourette Syndrome is a tic disorder which results in uncontrollable motor and vocal 1 in 250
tics as well as body jerking

Achondroplasia is the most common form of disproportionate short stature. The 1 in 10 000
individual has abnormal bone growth resulting in short stature, disproportionately
short arms and legs, short fingers, a large head, and specific facial features
Huntington’s
Tourette Syndrome Achondroplasia
Disease
Sex-Linked Disorders: When the X chromosome carries the mutated gene, the Cases per Birth
disorder is referred to as an X-linked disorder. Males are more affected than females
because they possess only one X chromosome without an additional X chromosome
to counter the harmful gene.
Fragile X Syndrome occurs when the body cannot make enough of a protein it 1 in 4000 males
needs for the brain to grow and problems with learning and behaviour can occur. 1 in 8000 females
Fragile X syndrome is caused from an abnormality in the X chromosome, which
then breaks. If a female has fragile X, her second X chromosome usually is healthy,
but males with fragile X don’t have a second healthy X chromosome. This is why
symptoms of fragile X syndrome usually are more serious in males
Hemophilia occurs when there are problems in blood clotting causing both internal 1 in 10, 000 males
and external bleeding

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a weakening of the muscles resulting in an 1 in 3500 males

inability to move, wasting away, and possible death
 Duchenne Muscular
Fragile X Syndrome Hemophilia
Dystrophy
CHROMOSOMAL
ABNORMALITIES
It occurs when a child inherits too many
or too few chromosomes. The most
common cause of chromosomal
abnormalities is the age of the mother.
There are two types of Chromosomal
abnormalities:
- Autosomal Chromosomal Disorders
- Sex-Linked Chromosomal Disorders
Autosomal Chromosome Disorders: The individual inherits too many Cases per Birth
or too few chromosomes
Down Syndrome/Trisomy 21 is caused by an extra chromosome 21 1 in 691
and includes a combination of birth defects. Affected individuals have 1 in 300 births
some degree of intellectual disability, characteristic facial features, at age 35
often heart defects, and other health problems. The severity varies
greatly among affected individuals.
Trisomy 13 is caused by an extra chromosome 13. Affected individuals 1 in 7,906
have multiple birth defects and generally die in the first weeks or
months of life.
Trisomy 18 is caused by an extra chromosome 18 and the affected 1 in 3,762
individual also has multiple birth defects and early death.
 Down
Trisomy 13 Trisomy 18
Syndrome/Trisomy 21
Sex-Linked Chromosomal Disorders: The disorder occurs on Cases per Birth
chromosome pair #23 or the sex chromosomes.
Turner Syndrome is caused when all or part of one of the X 1 in 2500
chromosomes in lost before or soon after conception due to a random females
event. The resulting zygote has an XO composition. Turner syndrome
affects cognitive functioning and sexual maturation in girls. Infertility
and a short stature may be noted.
Klinefelter Syndrome is caused when an extra X chromosome is 1 in 650 males
present in the cells of a male due to a random event. The Y
chromosome stimulates the growth of male genitalia, but the
additional X chromosome inhibits this development. The male can
have some breast development, infertility, and low levels of
testosterone.
 Klinefelter
Turner Syndrome
Syndrome
GENETIC
COUNSELING
A service that assists individuals
identify, test for, and explain
potential genetic conditions that
could adversely affect themselves
or their offspring.
 Membership in a certain ethnic group
Family history of a genetic condition with a higher risk of a genetic condition

COMMON REASONS
FOR GENETIC
COUNSELING
Learning about the chances of having a
baby with a genetic condition if the parents
Information regarding the results of are older, have had several miscarriages,
genetic testing, including blood tests, have offspring with birth defects,
amniocentesis, or ultra sounds experience infertility, or have a medical
condition
BEHAVIORAL
GENETICS
is the scientific study of the
interplay between the genetic and
environmental contributions to
behaviour.
BEHAVIORAL GENETICS

Genotype-Environment Correlations
01 refer to the processes by which genetic factors contribute to vari-
ations in the environment

Genotype-Environment Interactions
02 involve genetic susceptibility to the environment

Epigenetics
03 studies modifications in DNA that affect gene expression and
are passed on when the cells divide
 GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT
CORRELATIONS
Passive genotype-environment correlation
01 occurs when children passively inherit the genes and the environments their
family provides.

Evocative genotype-environment correlation

02 refers to how the social environment reacts to individuals based on their
inherited characteristics.

Active genotype-environment correlation

03 occurs when individuals seek out environments that support their genetic
tendencies.
PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT
STAGES OF PRENATAL
DEVELOPMENT

0-2 WEEKS 3-8 WEEKS 9 WEEKS - BIRTH

The developing child is most at risk for some
of the severe problems during the first three
months of development.
• Teratology - The study of factors that contribute
to birth defects

• Teratogens - environmental factors that can

contribute to birth defects, and include some
maternal diseases, pollutants, drugs and alcohol
FACTORS INFLUENCING PRE-NATAL RISKS
01

Timing of the
Exposure 02

The amount of
03 Exposure

Number of
Teratogens 04

Genetics
05

Being Male or
Female
Examples of Teratogens
ALCOHO
• L
Commonly used teratogens
• Alcohol during pregnancy is the leading
preventable cause of intellectual disability
TOBACC
O
Tobacco use during pregnancy has been associated
with low birth weight, ecotopic pregnancy,
placenta privia, placenta abruption
PRESCRIPTION/ OVER THE COUNTER
DRUGS
• A woman should not be taking any prescription drug
during pregnancy unless it was prescribed by a health
care provider who knows she is pregnant.
• Pain reliever ibuprofen can cause serious blood flow
problems to the fetus during the last three months
POLLUTANTS
Such as Lead, pesticides, Bisphenol A, Radiation
and Mercury
TOXOPLASMOS
•ISAn infection caused by a tiny parasite,
toxoplasma gondii.
• Toxoplasmosis can cause premature birth,
stillbirth, and can result in birth defects to the
eyes and brain.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
•DISEASES
Gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia are sexually
transmitted infections that can be passed to the
fetus by an infected mother.
Examples of Teratogens

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY
VIRUSteratogens
• One of the most potentially devastating (HIV)
• One of the main ways children under age 13 become
infected with HIV is via mother-to-child
transmission of the virus prenatally, during labor, or
by breastfeeding

GERMAN MEASLES
• (RUBELLA)
An infection that causes mild flu-like symptoms and a
rash on the skin.

• It has been associated with a number of birth defects

 MATERNAL FACTORS
MOTHERS OVER 35 TEENAGE PREGNANCY GESTATIONAL DIABETES

• They are mostly in • A teenage mother is at • Diabetes is a condition

good health and have
healthy pregnancies.
• However, are more
likely to have an
increased risk of
fertility problems, high • Infants born to teenage
blood pressure,
diabetes, miscarriages,
placenta previa,
caesarean section,
premature birth,
stillbirth, a baby with a
genetic disorder or
other birth defects
a greater risk for having
pregnancy
complications including
anemia, and high blood • It usually goes away
pressure.
mothers have a higher
risk for being
premature and having
low birthweight or
other serious health
problems.
where the body has
too much glucose in
the bloodstream
after the mother gives
birth, but it might
indicate a risk for
developing diabetes
later in life.
 MATERNAL FACTORS
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
• Hypertension is a condition
in which the pressure
against the wall of the
arteries becomes too high.
• There are two types of high
blood pressure during
pregnancy; gestational
which occurs during
pregnancy and goes away
after birth, and chronic
which refers to women
who had hypertension
before pregnancy or those
who developed during
pregnancy and continued
after birth.
RH DISEASE WEIGHT GAIN
• A protein found in the • During pregnancy, most
blood. women need only an
• Mothers who are Rh additional 300 calories per
negative are at risk of day to aid in the growth of
having a baby with a form the fetus.
of anemia called Rh • Gaining too little or too
Disease much weight during
• Fathers who is Rh-positive pregnancy can be harmful.
and a mother who is Rh- • Women who gain too little
negative can conceive a may have a baby who is
baby who is Rh-positive low-birth weight, while
those who gain too much
are likely to have a
premature or large baby.
WEIGHT GAIN DURING PREGNANCY
If you were a If you were If you were If you were obese
healthy weight underweight overweight before pregnancy
before pregnancy before pregnancy before pregnancy
• Gain 25-35 lbs • Gain 28-40 lbs • Gain 12-25 lbs • 11-20 lbs
• 1-4 ½ lbs in the • 1-4 ½ lbs in the • 1-4 ½ lbs in the • 1-4 ½ lbs in the
first trimester and first trimester andfirst trimester and first trimester and
1 lb per week in a little more than a little more than less than ½ lb per
the second and 1 lb per week ½ lb per week in week in the
third trimester thereafter the second and second and third
third trimesters trimesters
Mothers of twins need to gain more in each category
 MATERNAL FACTORS
STRESS DEPRESSION PATERNAL IMPACT

• Feeling stressed is • A significant medical • The age of fathers at

common during condition in which the time of conception
pregnancy, but high feelings of sadness, is also an important
levels of stress can worthlessness, guilt, factor in health risks
cause complications and fatigue interfere for children.
including having a with one’s daily • Offspring of men over
premature baby or a functioning. 40 face an increased
low-birthweight baby • It can occur before, risk of miscarriages,
during, or after autism, birth defects,
pregnancy. achondroplasia (bone
growth disorder) and
schizophrenia.
PRENATAL ASSESSMENT

ULTRASOUND
• one of the main screening
tests done in combination
with blood tests

• a test in which sound waves

are used to examine the
fetus.
2 TYPES OF ULTRASOUND

TRANSVAGINAL TRANSABDOMINAL
ULTRASOUND
• Used in early pregnancy ULTRASOUND
• more common and used after 10
weeks of pregnancy (typically, 16 to
20 weeks)
AMNIOCENTESIS

AMNIOCENTESIS
• is a procedure in which a
needle is used to withdraw
a small amount of amniotic
fluid and cells from the sac
surrounding the fetus and
later tested.
CHORIONIC VILLUS
SAMPLING
CHORIONIC VILLUS
SAMPLING

• a procedure in which a
small sample of cells is
taken from the placenta and
tested
 Complications during Pregnancy

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
occurs when the zygote becomes attached to the
fallopian tube before reaching the uterus

PRECLAMPSIA or
TOXEMIA characterized by a sharp rise in blood
pressure, a leakage of protein into the urine as
a result of kidney problems, and swelling of
the hands, feet, and face during the third
trimester of pregnancy

ECLAMPSIA
Seizures caused by preclampsia
STAGES OF BIRTH FOR VAGINAL
DELIVERY
STAGE 1 : DILATION
STAGES OF BIRTH FOR VAGINAL
DELIVERY
STAGE 2 : BIRTH
STAGES OF BIRTH FOR VAGINAL
DELIVERY
STAGE 2 : BIRTH
STAGES OF BIRTH FOR VAGINAL
DELIVERY
STAGE 3 : AFTER BIRTH DELIVERY
COMMON REASONS FOR C-SECTIONS
01

Health problems in
the mother 02

Signs of distress in
03 the baby

Not enough room for

the baby to go
04
through the vagina

The position of the baby

where the head is not in the
downward position
Induced Birth

01 The mother is approaching two weeks beyond her due date

and labor has not started naturally

02 The mother’s water has broken, but contractions have

not begun

03 There is an infection in the mother’s uterus

04 The baby has stopped growing at the expected

pace
Induced Birth

05 There is not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby

06 The placenta peels away, either partially or

completely, from the inner wall of the uterus before
delivery

The mother has a medical condition that might put

07 her or her baby at risk, such as high blood pressure or
diabetes
PROBLEMS OF A NEW BORN

ANOXIA LOW BIRTH SMALL FOR DATE

PRETERM
WEIGHT INFANTS

A child is considered Infants that have

temporary lack of low birth weight if he Infant is born at less birth weights that
oxygen to the or she weighs less than 37 weeks
are below
brain. than 5 pounds 8 gestation
expectation based
ounces (2500grams).
on their gestational
age

1 2 3 4
POSTPARTUM MATERNAL CONCERNS

Baby blues are feelings of sadness that occur 3

to 5 days after having a baby and typically disappear
usually within 10 days of the birth.

Peripartum Onset Of Depression a

type of depression that occurs during pregnancy or
in the 4 weeks following pregnancy.