THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE ON THE DEVELOPING FETUS

The effects of maternal alcohol or drug abuse on the developing fetus

Article Research Summary

Child development is by its nature an interdisciplinary field combining psychology, social services, education, and other professions. This diversity allows us to approach children’s needs from multiple perspectives and increases the breadth of our knowledge. Internet sites about children, youth, and families provide information about a broad range of topics. Some sites emphasize normative development, others emphasize atypical children. The field includes diverse professions and perspectives, and sites can be organized by topic, by theoretical perspective, or by the child’s age.

Instructions: In order for you to complete this assignment you will be allowed to use any articles from scholarly journals found in the EBSCO database by logging on to the Helen Miller Library websiteThe article you select must be a research article that comes from a scholarly journal and that contains the following input in order to help you answer questions 1-8 below. All responses for each question should be in short paragraphs.
You can submit this assignment by word processing it on the class site.  No attachments will be accepted. Make sure to include the web link for the article you reviewed. There is a Work Sample for your review at the bottom of this page.
1. What was the aim of the study? What was the objective?

2. How did the investigator(s) measure the topic of interest?

3. Who were the children or participants in the study?

4. What was the design of the study? See ch.1 in textbook for descriptions of different studies.

5. Were there ethical concerns with the study?

6. What were the results?

7. What did the investigators conclude?

8. What is your conclusion?

Some possible topics for you to research are the following: You are not limited to these topics.

The effects of maternal alcohol or drug abuse on the developing fetus
The effects of maternal malnutrition on the developing fetus
The effects of traumatic brain injuries and later brain development Illnesses and the effects on children’s development
Toddlers usage of computers and the effects on children’s cognitive development

—————————-Work Sample Below———————————————-

Topic: The Effects of Maternal Malnutrition and the Developing Fetus

Introduction:  Malnutrition is one of the most daunting things developed nations and developing nations are experiencing till this day. People who live in poor conditions are likely to experience malnutrition as they are unable to afford food that is necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Although everyone who consumes a poor diet is susceptible to malnutrition, pregnant women are more at risk to malnutrition. During a woman’s pregnancy, it is imperative for her to consume a healthy diet for it will also affect a fetus’s well-being.

1.      What was the aim of the study? What was the objective?
Carrying a child throughout pregnancy is speculated as one of the most valued things a mother can do. Though each culture has different views of pregnancy, people of all different cultures come to understand that it is important to take extra care of the expectant mother because needs the necessary nutrition for herself and her growing fetus. The aim in the study of the effects of maternal malnutrition and the developing fetus is to understand how “maternal malnutrition during gestation [also] impairs embryonic and fetal growth and development” (Wu 4). It is especially important for the mother to eat a well-balanced diet because if she does not, her baby will suffer from intrauterine growth restriction, low birthweight, preterm birth, and birth defects.

2.      How did the investigator(s) measure the topic of interest?
Investigators measured the topic of interest by comparing the health statistics of women who consumed a healthy diet and a poor diet while pregnant. In “Gestational programming of offspring obesity/ hypertention, Donald A. Novak and his team writes that there are substantial correlations between the size of a child at birth and the mother’s overall diet during her pregnancy. For example, obese mothers are “more likely to deliver relatively large infants who” have high risks of obesity” and malnourished mothers also risk giving birth to infants who are at risk of obesity in the future (Novak 591). Infants who are born from malnourished mothers are at risk of developing diabetes later in life as they are trying to gain the necessary nutrients they could not get while they were in the womb.

3.      Who were the children or participants in the study?
This study compares two different types of women who are pregnant such as those who are malnourished and those who have a well-balanced diet. It is imperative to compare the differences between the mothers who have a well-balanced diets and malnourished diets so health professionals can get a better idea to help malnourished mothers during their pregnancy. Without the needed participants in this study, it will be a challenge to help prevent malnourishment amongst pregnant woman who come from poor communities and third world countries.

4.     What was the design of the study?   See ch.1 in textbook for descriptions of different studies.
The design of this study is correlation and causation. In this type of study, scientists use it to figure out whether “one variable is more (or less) likely to occur when the other does” (Berger 28). For example, variables are used to figure out whether there is a positive or negative correlation between these variables. If there are no correlations within the variables provided then this study is not valid. In this study of maternal malnutrition, there is a positive correlation with the developing fetus. The reason these two variables are positively correlated with each other because if the mother does not eat a well- balanced diet it affects the fetus’s development.

5.      What were the results?
The results of this study showed that it is important for pregnant women to eat a healthy diet. In Wu’s study he writes that during pregnancy macronutrients and micronutrients are given to the fetus to help it achieve its full development (Wu 20). Without the proper nutrients, the fetus’s survival will be reduced as well as their postnatal growth, neurological function, learning abilities, and health. To lower the risk of maternal/ fetal morbidity and mortality, communities need to continue to fund programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that provides healthy food for pregnant mothers and children of low income. Furthermore, classes should be provided to give pregnant woman a better idea what they should eat and do while pregnant.

6.      Were there ethical concerns with the study?
There were no ethical concerns with this study.

7.      What did the investigators conclude?
The investigators in Wu’s team conclude that “much is known about adverse effects of preterm birth on neonatal survival and adult-onset metabolic diseases” (Wu 20). To lower the chances of maternal/ fetal morbidity and mortality, it is important for pregnant mothers to follow a strict healthy diet.

8.  What is your conclusion?
Eating healthy is important as what people eat has an effect on their overall nutrition. People need to have a well-balanced nutrition to function because without the necessary nutrition, our bodies will have a harder time functioning. It is especially important for women who are pregnant to consume a well- balanced diet as she is providing the necessary nutrients for herself and for her fetus. Without eating the proper nutrition, malnutrition has an effect on the fetus at birth as they are more susceptible to diabetes later in life.

Works Cited:

Novak, Donald A., Desai, Mina, and Ross, Michael G. “Gestational Programming of Offspring Obesity/Hypertention.” Journal Of Maternal Fetal & Neonatal Medicine 19.19 (2005): 591-599. Academic Search Premier. Web. 26 Sept. 2015.
Wu, Guoyao, Imhoff-Kunsch, Beth, and Webb, Amy Girard. “Biological Mechanisms for -Nutritional Regulation of Maternal Health and Fetal Development.” Paediatric & Perinatal Epidemiology, 26. (2012): 4-26. Consumer Health Complete- EBSCOhost.Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
Berger, Kathleen S. The Developing Person Through Childhood and Adolescence, 9th Edition. New York: Worth