Fetal neurodevelopment

In any case, it s estimated that the human fetus is ten to a hundred times more sensitive to ambient lead than children or adults, such that the so-called national averages are almost certainly dangerous for the fetus. In 2006, researchers reported a study of 146 pregnant women in Mexico City.13 It s one of the few studies to measure maternal lead values during each trimester of pregnancy. The researchers examined the impact of prenatal lead exposure on fetal neurodevelopment by measuring whole blood and plasma levels of lead in the pregnant mothers at each trimester and then in umbilical cord blood at delivery. When the infants were at 12 and 24 months of age, the researchers measured their BLL and also evaluated their neural development with a standard method (the Spanish version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development). From the evidence,... 

Hertz-Picciotto, irva University of North Caroiina Chapei Hiii Fetal PCB exposure, thyroid function, and neurodevelopment NIEHS... 

Myers GJ, Davidson PW, Cox C, et al Neurodevelopmental outcomes of Seychellois children sixty-six months after in utero exposure to methylmercury from a maternal fish diet pilot study. Neurotoxicology 16 639-652, 1995a Myers GJ, Davidson PW, Cox C, et al Summary of the Seychelles child development study on the relationship of fetal methylmercury exposure to neurodevelopment. Neurotoxicology 16 711-716,1995b... 

In the United Kingdom, for example, women whose birth weight was less than 6.6 pounds have an increased risk of depression at age 26 years. In men, those born weighing less than 5.5 pounds are more likely to be psychologically distressed at age 16 years and to report a history of depression at age 26 years. It s apparent that impaired neurodevelopment during fetal life may increase susceptibility to depression.56 This is consistent with the idea that fetal programming may affect hormones and neurotransmitter secretions that influence later mental and physical health.57... 

Talge, N. M., Neal, C., Glover, V., Early Stress, Translational Research and Prevention Science Network Fetal and Neonatal Experience on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. (2007). Antenatal maternal stress and long-term effects on child neurodevelopment how and why J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry. 48 245—261. 

The epidemiological and experimental findings of the last few decades have demonstrated the critical need for adequate fetal thyroid hormone concentrations from the earhest stages of pregnancy, in order to achieve normal neurodevelopment. 

Neurodevelopment delay has been attributed to long-term amiodarone exposure in a child with fetal junctional reciprocating tachycardia and normal thyroid function [39" ]. A refractory persistent tachycardia was treated in utero with digoxin 0.5 mg/day until delivery and amiodarone 100 mg/day from 26 to 35 weeks of gestation. The baby was delivered at 38 weeks, weighed 3550 g, and had normal acid-base balance. 

Michael K. Georgieff, M.D., is a professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Child Development and codirector of the Center for Neurobehavioral Development at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine. His expertise and research interests are in fetal and neonatal nutrition and neurodevelopment, with special emphasis on the effect of fetal/ neonatal iron nutrition on brain development and neurocognitive function and the effect of illness on neonatal protein-energy metabolism. Dr. Georgieff received his M.D. from the Washington University Medical School. He is a member of the Perinatal Research Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Pediatric Research, and the American Pediatric Society. 

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