Exposure to these hazards during pregnancy may cause negative health effects for the mother and baby. The negative health effects that may be caused by exposure to these hazards include: miscarriage, still birth, delayed fetal growth, birth defects and increased risk for certain illnesses in the baby.
What are the effects of environmental hazards during pregnancy?
While environmental exposure is how many diseases and conditions are acquired, developing fetuses are particularly vulnerable to these. The effects of environmental hazards on pregnancy can be severe and include disruptions in fetal growth, congenital anomalies, stillbirth, and pregnancy loss.
What are environmental factors that affect pregnancy and child birth?
Various epidemiological studies have suggested associations between environmental exposures such as air pollution, environmental tobacco smoke, pesticides, solvents, metals, radiation, water contaminants (disinfection by-products, arsenic, and nitrates) and chemicals (persistent organic pollutants (POPs), Bisphenol A, …
How can the environment affect a developing fetus?
Pollution, such as exposure to mercury or PCBs, can cause physical deformities, abnormal speech, and difficulty with coordination. Maternal infections such as viruses or parasites can also cause brain damage to the fetus, or even death.
Can change of environment affect pregnancy?
However, climate change can worsen environmental hazards that threaten the health of pregnant women and increase health risks for the baby, such as: Low weight of the baby at birth. If a baby weighs less than 5.5 pounds at birth, there may be lasting effects on health. Pre-term birth.
How can we prevent environmental hazards during pregnancy?
Exposure to pesticides in pregnancy has been shown to increase risk of poor prenatal growth, birth defects, leukemia and impaired neurodevelopment. To reduce exposure, avoid using chemical tick and flea collars or dips and other pesticides, both indoors and out. Wash produce thoroughly before eating.
What factors can harm the fetus during pregnancy?
Factors like age and overall health status can increase your chances of experiencing complications during pregnancy.
- Reproductive abnormalities. …
- Women under age 20. …
- Women over age 35. …
- Weight. …
- Diabetes. …
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) …
- Preexisting medical conditions. …
- Multiple pregnancies.
Which of the environmental pollution can cause birth defects?
In a comprehensive study, researchers from Texas A&M University have determined that harmful particulate matter in the atmosphere can produce birth defects and even fatalities during pregnancy using the animal model.