Title: Birth Defects and Brain Development - body, last, causes, The Developing Fetus, Anencephaly
Headings: Birth Defects and Brain Development
Birth Defects and Brain Development
KEYWORDS
The Developing Fetus
Anencephaly
Spina Bifida
Embryo Toxins
Alcohol
Tobacco
Medications and Street Drugs
Environmental hazards
Embryo Infections
Cytomegalovirus
Syphilis
Rubella (German measles)
Toxoplasmosis
Metabolic Disorders
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Hypothyroidism
Living with Birth Defects
User Contributions:

Content: During the first  twelve weeks of development, the cells of the embryo and fetus are rapidly  dividing and becoming the infant's muscles, bones, and organs. Exposure to disease or toxins * may disrupt the process of development and can result in birth defects  and developmental problems in the infant. * fetus (FEE-tus) in humans, is the unborn offspring in the period after it is  an embryo, from 9 weeks after fertilization until birth. * embryo (EM-bree-o) in humans, the developing organism from the end of the  second week after fertilization to the end of the eighth week,
* toxins (TOK-sinz) are poisonous substances. Since rapid growth and organ formation occur during the first 12 weeks of  development, that is when the embryo and fetus are most susceptible to  injury or insult. The neural (NU-ral) tube, which develops into the spinal  cord and the brain, begins to develop about 10 days after conception and  continues to develop throughout the pregnancy. Because the mother and the  developing fetus are connected, many things that the mother is exposed to  or takes into her body can be passed to the fetus. If the mother becomes  ill, takes medications, is exposed to toxins, or takes any drugs, the  fetus may be affected. How severe the developmental problem that results  will be depends on many factors including the type of illness or type or  amount of toxin involved. The developing fetus must also receive enough oxygen.