How Lithium Effects Baby?

IntroductionThe first three to six months of a woman?s maternal quality is considered to be a critical finale be build during this conclusion external stimuli bathroom have a devastating dissemble on the development of the fetus. Since mother and child are interlink and have a mutual carnal knowledgeship for the next cardinal months the fetus is very sensitive and at risk to near(prenominal) dangers the mother faces. The placenta non only provides nutrients and oxygen and it to a fault provides protection from everything that could harm an unhatched child. Teratogens are especially detrimental in the embryonic stage be realize it is a critical power point in prenatal development beca purpose this is when the ?foundations for all body split are be laid down? (Berk, 2008, p.106). Teratogens can be easily classified into different categories which include prescription and non-prescription drugs, unlawful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, infectious disease and environmental factors such as shaft of light and pollution that could potential droply cause harm to an unborn child. in that location are times when teratogens such as chemicals and viruses can spend a penny the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm or interfere with the development sometimes do birth defects or even a miscarriage plainly they are most ?vulnerable to damage when they are exploitation most rapidly? (Papalia, Olds, & Feldman, 2006, p.91) which generally occurs within the first trimester of pregnancy.

condition OverviewThe article I chose discussed the outcome of pregnancies after the fetus was unfastened to atomic number 3 during the first trimester of pregnancy. According to Jacobson, Jones, etc., there are .1% of enceinte women that are estimated to use lithium, which is utilize in the ?treatment or prophylaxis of bipolar dis prescribe or mania? (Dictionary.com). The article discussed how in-utero icon to lithium may be associated with ?an increased risk of cardiac malformations, especially the rare Ebstein?s anomaly? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992) which causes the ?tricuspid valve of the tender flavouredness to be abnormally formed? (American Heart Association, 2009) and increases the risk of heart failure. The study consisted of 148 women who had requested information from teratogen information services regarding the ?potential risks of therapeutic drugs during pregnancy? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992).

The women were interviewed by a doctor where they let on information about the drugs or other chemicals that were taken during pregnancy along with the ?indication, dose, toxicity of the drug and its toxic effectuate, and monitoring? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992). The women also split upd their medical, obstetric, and family history along with any occupational icons which could cause complications to the fetus as well. Through the information that was obtained the pregnant women were offered advice on what to do as well as being referred to the steal person who could provide them with the appropriate treatment and care during their pregnancy. by and by the delivery of the baby, the mothers received a phone call from researchers where they were to disclose further details of their pregnancies including the ?outcome, perinatal complications, birth weight, physical findings, and developmental milestones? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992) of the babies. The doctors overseeing the care for the babies were also asked to confirm the information provided by the mothers as well as the health status of the babies involved.

The research visual aspected that some of the babies were affected by their mother?s use of lithium causing congenital malformations, neural-tube defects, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and premature deliveries which ended in death where others experienced no adverse affects from their mother?s use of lithium.

Limitations and implications of the studyThe implications to the study implied that even though lithium is non a major human teratogen that there is a adventure for it to become hazardous to the fetus if too much is taken at a specific time during the development of the fetus. eve though the study mentioned that women who take lithium are honest to conceive a baby there is evidence that does show that the use of lithium can be harmful to the unborn fetus.



The risks may be greater for someone depending on ?exposure and drug dosage? which are critical pieces of information that is necessitate in order to ?assess any causal relation between any xenobiotic and outcome? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992). However the evidence did suggest that malformations of the fetus are more susceptible during the time when the fetus is developing at a rapid rate but there is not enough evidence to suggest that the fetus will develop normally with no complications for mother?s who do use lithium. The study did not include how they positive over time and if they experienced any mental or emotional delays during their development.

Conclusion critiqueThe study concluded that lithium is not considered to be a major human teratogen since ?lithium has a very narrow therapeutic window? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992) where toxic effects could occur. However they do believe that the ?teratogenicity of lithium might be dose-related? (Jacobson, Jones, & et al., 1992). Since they are not sure whether or not the use of lithium is a teratogen there has to be long term effects that the child will experience because of this drug being in their system for such a long period of time over their development in their mother?s womb. Since unborn babies depend on their mother for survival anything that could potentially cause birth defects or malformations should be only used after a doctor confirms no harm can come to the unborn child.

References:American Heart Association (2009). Retrieved shocking 22, 2009 fromhypertext transfer protocol://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11075Berk, L. (2008). Infants, children, and adolescents. (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Jacobson, S. J., Jones, K, & et al. (1992). Prospective Multicentre Study of PregnancyOutcome after Lithium photo during First Trimester. TheLancet, 339(8792), 530. Retrieved August 21, 2009, from Research Library.

(Document ID: 1694906).

lithium. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved August 23, 2009, fromDictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lithiumPapalia, D, Olds, S, & Feldman, R. (2006). A Child?s World: infancy throughAdolescence. New York: McGraw-Hill

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