The Effects of Smoking on the Developing Fetus Essay -- Health Medical

The do of Smoking on the Developing FetusThe depiction of the fetus to nicotine during development has several effects. The most(prenominal) well known result of smoking is low birth pitch of the infant. There are also some studies that reveal nicotine as a drug that can affect the star of the developing fetus. Nicotine also has signal effects on the neurotransmitter systems in the CNS and whitethorn cause a decrease in cell growth which could result in noetic impairment. The correlation between maternal smoking and low birth clog has been strongly established. Nicotine affects the placental function by inducing the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine into the maternal filiation, which causes decreased blood flow to the placenta (1). The decreased blood flow causes a decrease in delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. This may go through an effect on cell growth and development. High levels of carboxyhemoglobin are present in the blood of the mother and the f etus. This may decrease the electrical capacity of the blood to transport oxygen and fetal hypoxia is the result (2). Fetal hypoxia and ischemia are major contributors to developmental defects, but nicotine has been implicated, in various studies, to have a direct affect on fetal development (3). some(prenominal) studies suggest that nicotine interferes with cell acquisition and development in various brain regions. The developing nervous system seems to be more vulnerable to nicotine exposure than the rest of the body (4). This is important since nicotine readily crosses the placental barrier and fetal blood concentrations are equal to or above that of the mother (1). deoxyribonucleic acid can be used as a index for meter cell acquisition. An experiment on rats by Lichtensteiger et. al. reported that DN... ...r. (1988) Prenatal untoward effects of nicotine on the developing brain. Progress in Brain enquiry. 73137-157. 2. Moore, K. L. The Developing Human Clinically oriented embryology, 4th edition. Philadelphia PA W.B. Saunders Co., 1988, p.146. 3.Navarro, H. A., F. J. Seidler, J. P. Eylers, F. E. Baker, S. S. Dobbins, S. E. Lappi, T. A. Slotkin. (1989) Effects of Prenatal Nicotine Exposure on Development of Central and Peripheral cholinergic Neurotransmitter Systems. Evidence for Cholinergic Trophic Influences in Developing Brain. The Journal of materia medica and Experimental Therapeutics, 251(3)894-900. 4. Navarro, H. A., F. J. Seidler, R. D. Schwartz, F. E. Baker, S. S. Dobbins, T. A. Slotkin. (1989) Prenatal Exposure to Nicotine Impairs Nervous System Development at a Dose Which Does Not Affect Viability or Growth. Brain Research Bulletin. 23187-192.