Prenatal Development: Epigenetics
In the chapter about prenatal developmental, one thing that struck me was the importance of epigenetics for determining fetal growth. The term epigenetics is a change in gene expression not due to changes to DNA sequence, but chemical modifications to DNA molecules or proteins that interact with it (Kauffman 2018). These changes can be affected by the environment (e.g., mother’s diet, stress levels and exposure to toxic substances) and may have lasting consequences for the developing baby. Research has demonstrated that stress in pregnancy may affect the developing foetus’s ability to cope with stress and lead to mental disorders later on (Weaver, et. al. 2020). Similar to the above, children who have been exposed to toxic substances, like tobacco smoke and certain pesticides by their mothers, are at risk of developing developmental delays or birth defects (Ritz et. al. 2018, 2018). This fascinating reminder is both sobering and a stark reminder to the importance of caring for yourself and your children during pregnancy. A friend mentioned the important role the placenta plays in the development of fetal brain. It is an important organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby. The barrier also protects it from infections and toxins (Sadler 2018). Cont…
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