Prenatal Development & Newborns

1. Prenatal Development & Newborns

3. How soon after conception does brain begin to form? • What are the 4 parts of the brain and the function of each? • What does nerogenesis mean? • What are the parts of a neuron and how do they communicate?

4. In-class Assignment 2 The purpose of this assignment is to help you better understand the three phases of prenatal development.

5. Teratogens • Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… • Dose level & length of exposure • Genetic variability of mother & organism • Multiple influences versus a single agent • Age or whether organism is in a sensitive period

6. Figure 3.2: Sensitive periods in prenatal development

7. Teratogens • Agents that causes damage during prenatal development; effect depends on… • Dose level & length of exposure • Genetic variability of mother & organism • Multiple influences versus a single agent • Age or whether organism is in a sensitive period • Effects may be delayed & psychological • Includes **drugs, diseases, & environment**

8. Alcohol • Statistics • 25% of expectant mothers report drinking • 55% for those who might become pregnant • Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful • Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy • Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) • Physical (facial) abnormalities

9. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: typical facial abnormalities

10. Alcohol • Statistics • 25% of expectant mothers report drinking • 55% for those who might become pregnant • Dose: < 1 glass/day is harmful • Sensitive period: Earliest months of pregnancy • Effects: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) • Physical (facial) abnormalities • Long-term mental retardation & overactivity

11. Tobacco • Statistics • 12% report smoking during pregnancy • Dose: more is worse; even 2nd-hand is bad • Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible • Effects: • Low birth weight • Behavioral disorders (ADD & ADHD?) • Long-term cognitive delays

12. Long-term cognitive effects of smoking

13. Tobacco • Statistics • 12% report smoking during pregnancy • Dose: more is worse; even 2nd-hand is bad • Sensitive period: throughout, but reversible • Effects: • Low birth weight (low nutrients) • Behavioral disorders (ADD & ADHD?) due to CO2 • Long-term cognitive delays

14. Cocaine • Statistics • 1980s phenomenon; estimate 11% • Dose: unknown because of multiple influences • Sensitive period: throughout • Effects: • Born addicted & experience withdrawal • Shrill & piercing cry • Low birth weight • Long-term consequences? Less so if environment changes

15. What are newborns capable of?

16. Newborn Capabilities: Reflexes • Inborn, automatic response to stimulation Why? • Serves a function • Survival of newborn (e.g., sucking) • Motor development (e.g., stepping) • Evolutionary, no longer important (e.g., Moro) • Parent-newborn bonding

17. Reflexes

18. Reflexes

19. Newborn Capabilities: Reflexes • Inborn, automatic response to stimulation Why? • Serves a function • Survival of newborn (e.g., sucking) • Motor development (e.g., stepping) • Evolutionary, no longer important (e.g., Moro) • Parent-newborn bonding Most disappear at 6-months; voluntary control of behavior

20. Newborn Capabilities: Senses Touch Sensitive to touch, pain, & temperature Taste Distinguish between tastes, likes & dislikes Smell Can distinguish mother from other women Hearing Speech perception is better than adults Prefer high-pitched, expressive sounds Sight Least mature, lack visual acuity, yet look for stimulation

21. Dr. Suess StudiesDecasper & Fifer (1980)

22. Dr. Deuss StudiesDecasper & Fifer (1980) • Participants: 10 newborns (24 hours old) • Method • Earphones on infants played tape-recording of mother (and stranger) reading Dr. Suess story • Pacifier in babies mouth monitored sucking

23. Results: newborns suck more in response to mother’s voice