Impact of Alcohol, Smoking and Drug Abuse on Child Development during Pre-conception, Pregnancy and First Year of Life

This report discusses the negative impact of alcohol, smoking and drug abuse on child development during pre-conception, pregnancy and first year of life. It covers factors affecting each stage of pregnancy and emphasizes the importance of proper care and nutrition. The report also highlights the risks associated with excessive alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse for both mother and child.

Child care and
Education

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Factor affect during the Pre-conceptions................................................................................1
Each stage of pregnancy.........................................................................................................3
During the first year of life.....................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
The child development is defined as the process in which the formation of the child is usually
occur. In term of child development with the anatomical concern, they are relatively state the
child is developing within the foetus with different aspect that promote growth and their
continuity. In addition, the foetus is providing environment which may formulate the growth and
their development in the effective way (Braeken and Bogaerts, 2020). In addition, there are
various factor which may contribute within the pre conception, pregnancy and first year of life
that create impact on the child development within the foetus and after the birth. Therefore, some
of the factor which majorly include within the study is alcohol that is primary role within the
mother and child the render the situation and pregnancy and another one is smoking and drug
abuse. The report focused on the several aspects that contribute within the vital negative impact
of child development (Chan and Chen, 2019).
MAIN BODY
Factor affect during the Pre-conceptions
For the babies, the preconception health defined as their parent took further step in order to
get the healthy before the pregnancy. Such child is usually less like to be born in pre term or
have the low birthweight which is more likely to be born that may have possibilities that is
showing the defect or other disable condition. In addition, the pre conception also associated
with the meeting where parent is used to getting the tips and advice from the healthcare
professional that used to provide proper healthy approach for the mother health and children.
There are various of factor which taking into consideration that affect the pre conception. In
addition, some of them are lifestyle factor which mainly contribute within the negative impact of
pre conception. Therefore, the factor that usually involve with the pre conception can damage the
health expectation of mother health and child. In this, the included factor is alcohol drinking,
smoking and excessive drug abuse which may cause the issue and complication with the mother
and child both as per the pre conception phase (Gharachourlo and et. al., 2018).
Alcohol: The alcohol is the major aspect which is usually followed within the pre
conception phase that affect the healthy behaviour. There are various of studies which is taking
into the account that reports that the drinking is more than the 5 unity as according to the week
that may reduce the chance of fertility but the other state that low to moderate alcohol
1

consumptions which may be associated with the higher pregnancy rate than the non-drinker.
Once, they are pregnant the alcohol consumptions that may lead to create the birth defect and the
also impact on development which is maybe delay (Goveia and et. al., 2018). According to the
royal obstetrician and gynaecologist and the department of health recommend that they are trying
to get pregnant which is avoid alcohol because it is not safe and follow the aspect of limit. Due to
this, the issue of birth defect is generally analysed when the mother is usually involving with the
drinking of alcohol. The alcohol usually degrades the healthy food which may usually that is
nutritious with the vision of mother. The pre conception require proper health to carry out the
outcome which is positive in term of fertility. While taking the contrast of men, the excessive
drinking of alcohol that may the cause the issue with challenges and difficulties in order to
maintain the erection, impaired ejaculation and also affect the vision of sperm quality which is
minimised due the behaviour of over consumption of alcohol (Grobler, Visser and Siegfried,
2019).
Smoking: Women who usually in the phase of pre conception, if they smoke 3 times which
is more likely to experience the delay in getting the pregnant than the smoker. Moreover, the
smoking is also a harmful aspect that is created with the aspect of habit which is related with the
addiction. Smoking usually create impact which is related with women ovarian reserve that
indicate their ovaries will have fewer egg in them than women of the same age who does not
smoke. In addition, they usually damage the cilia which is present inside the fallopian tube that
play vital role in the transportation of egg and or embryo along with fallopian tube into the
uterus. In the pre conception phase, mother used to face unhealthy aspect due to behaviour of
smoking which may rupture and render the important factor that may contribute for fertility and
healthy vision (Li and et. al., 2021). In consideration with men, the smoking may also harm the
men anatomical aspect which is related with the sperm where the reduction is analyse which is
based in the term of sperm quality and their quantity that create the issue of impotency within the
men. In addition, in women, it also evaluated that the smoking usually damages the genetic
material that is present inside the egg and also in men which is present inside the sperm. The
preconception phase acquires such behaviour such as smoking also lead to cause the issue of
miscarriage and the offspring birth defect which is higher among the such patient who usually
smoke for the prolong period. In addition, the smokeless tobacco also leads to create the
2

complication which is related with the women that show the aspect of increase risk of
miscarriage rate (Okesene-Gafa and et. al., 2019).
Drug abuse: The drug abuse is also a factor which is usually contribute within the pre
conception which affect the healthy approach of mother to lead the pregnancy. In addition, the
illicit drug consumption may restrict the health approach due to the false of mechanism of drug
inside the mother body that may affect the growth and development of egg. In addition, the
maternal substance that related with the category of abuse which is associated with the
pregnancy complication, LBW, an enhance risk of the infant mortality, the issue of neonatal
abstinence syndrome, ineffective parenting technique and their aspect may lead to create the
issue during the pre conception which is arise due to the drug abuse. There is other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drug which is usually known as the ibuprofen which can interfere with term of
ovulation. In addition, the aspirin is also used to interfere with aspect of implantation. The
recreational drug which mainly include the addictive drug which is named as marijuana and
cocaine that may interfere with ovulation and the function of the fallopian tube. The fallopian
tube is an important aspect within the women for transportation of egg from the ovary where it is
particularly released, to the womb that is known as uterus where an embryo used to show the
implants. In addition, the fertilisation that is usually occur within the aspect of fallopian tube.
Therefore, the anabolic steroid which is usually show the aspect that is abused by some body
builder, it usually inhibits the production of the sperm and interfere with the process that is
permanent even the drug is stopped. The pre conception are usually analyse that require a healthy
approach which may also affected due to the medical condition that may affect their fertility.
These may or may not be known about the about the aspect when they are starting to try for a
family. In addition, there are some of condition which may be general. For example, the thyroid
disease and the vitamin D deficiency that is associated with the other which is more specific. It is
understanding with the example of polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis (Toft and et.
al., 2022).
Each stage of pregnancy
Each stage of pregnancy is usually affected due to the factor which is related with the
lifestyle factor that include habit of excessive alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse. Overall, they
usually affect the growth and development of child in foetus. The foetus development is also
affected and lead to create issue with delay in pregnancy time and duration. There are various of
3

intrinsic mechanism which may impact the mother body badly due the progression of factor that
may create the situation more critical (Van Dammen and et. al., 2018).
Alcohol: The excessive of alcohol which is consume by any lady during the period of
pregnancy then the alcohol passes from the blood through the placenta and also with the child. in
addition, the liver of the child is last organ which is developed and does not mature until the last
stage of pregnancy. Therefore, the baby cannot process the alcohol which is based on the aspect
which is related with the exposure of alcohol which may lead to create the issue with the
development that is affected. The drinking of alcohol at the starting of the pregnancy that
estimated three month of pregnancy which enhance the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and
the baby is having the low birthweight that also show the aspect of malnutrition related with
child. In addition, the serious complication which may include that affect the child is learning
difficulties and behavioural issue. The excessive drinking may also cause the issue which is
related with the syndrome which is called foetal alcohol syndrome. It is usually cause due to the
heavy drinking throughout period of pregnancy which can cause and formulate issue. There are
some of the symptoms which may include poor growth, distinct facial feature and learning and
behavioural issues. Moreover, the drinking less heavily and even drinking on the single occasion
that may be associated with the lesser chance to deal with the foetal alcohol syndrome. The risk
of such disease may create the issue of life threatening when they are linked with child during the
pregnancy then most of the miscarriage is identified (van Elten and et. al., 2018).
Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy is also used to enhance the risk of health issue for
the development of babies that may include preterm birth, low birth weight and some of the
defect which may associated with the mouth and lips. The smoking during and after the
pregnancy is also enhance the problem which is related with risk of infant death syndrome that is
known as SIDS. Therefore, the e cigarettes and other tobacco product are usually containing
nicotine which is addictive drug that is rarely found inside the tobacco. This kind of tobacco is
not safe for the women during the course of pregnancy. Moreover, nicotine is defined as health
danger for pregnancy women and the developing babies which can damage the baby brain and
their lung and also affect their growth and development. For instance, there are some of the
smoking product which majorly include flavouring agent that is also create impact during the
pregnancy or during the child birth (Wekker and et. al., 2019).
4

Drug abuse: The street drug which is also called as the illegal drug or the illicit drug which
is usually unethical and addictive in nature. These drug are usually consumed by women which
is analyse with the ratio of 1:2 with the percentage of 5 percent that the women used to take illicit
drug during the pregnancy. Usually, the illicit drug cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs
which is taken by the women during the period of pregnancy that create negative impact. There
are some of the defined ways that a illicit drug may harm the pregnancy include:
 Not being able to get pregnancy and create difficulty in fertility. There are some of the
aspect which is related with the infertility is analysed.
 The issue with the core of placenta where the placenta used to growth with the aspect of
uterus and supplies the baby with food and oxygen with the aspect through umbilical
cords.
 Therefore, the issue also related with the preterm labour. Due to the impact of drug it is
usually happen before the 37 week of pregnancy.
 Miscarriage is also act as impact where the child are dies in the womb before the 20 week
of pregnancy.
 The stillbirth is also show when the baby is died inside the womb after the 20 week of
pregnancy in which the babies born to mother who used illicit drug during phase of
pregnancy that can create such complication.
 In addition, it is also related with the issue of low birthweight that is less than the 5 pound
and 8 ounces as per the standard guidelines.
Moreover, there are other issue which is also related with the drug abuse which may
identified such as heart defect, liver defect and many more which is occur due to the impact of
drug during the phase of pregnancy.
During the first year of life
After the pregnancy, it is also analysed that the number of women are used to face the risk
of postpartum depression which is common for the female. It is usually restricted to drink
alcohol while in the place to breastfeeds. In addition, the prevention for the drinking alcohol is
one of key aspect that act as safest option for the breastfeeding mothers. Moreover, it is usually
analysing that the moderate consumption which is regulated for the breastfeeding mother is allow
for only s standard drink per day. It is also show the aspect which is harmful when the
breastfeeding mother is used to take excessive of alcohol, smoking and drug abuse then it affects
5

the standard of living of child. after the birth of child, for the one-year appropriate diet and
proper caring is being taken which is associated with the nutrition and care and focus on their
weight. The habit of alcohol, smoking and drug abuse may cause the issue which may create
negative impact on mother and children (Williamson and et. al., 2018).
Alcohol: With the aspect to alcohol, it is also analysed that the alcohol usually affects with
short term as well as long term. In the short term period is create major complexities that include
miscarriage, poor development of foetus and many more. In the long term, it usually creates the
issue which is related with the improper caring and support towards the child and also related
with the lack of focus of mother for their child due the habit alcoholism. Therefore, the proper
prevention is used to taken in order to reduce the complication which is may be arise due to the
habit of alcoholism. During the initial years, the child requires mother milk which include
colostrum that is essential yellow for the growth and development of babies. Therefore, the habit
of drinking may cause the issue of carelessness and improper attribute towards the focus on the
learning of child. due to this, the malnutrition is usually occurring which may create challenge
for the child to survive.
Smoking: After the one year of life after the pregnancy, the effect of smoking show
various complication in the wider way may cause the issue with the child and the mother both.
Both babies whose mother smoke during the pregnancy and after that then they are exposed to
second-hand smoke after the birth which is lead to cause the issue which is more likely to die
from the sudden infant death syndrome as comparison to those who are not exposed for the
cigarette smoke. The children whose mother smoke are about the three times which is more
likely to die from the SIDS. As per the various studies, it is well suggested that the nicotine
alone may be key chemical responsibilities that is associated for the long term effect that is
associated with the maternal cigarette smoking on the offspring such as impaired fertility that
include type 2 diabetes, obesity, neurobehavioral defect and respiratory dysfunctions.
Drug abuse: There are some of studies which is used to indicate that the use of tobacco, alcohol
or the illicit drug or the misuse of the prescription drugs by the pregnancy women which can
severe related with the health consequence for the infants. In addition, it is generally evaluated
that they can pass through the blood brain barrier and placenta and reach to the foetus of
pregnant women. There are number of recent research show that the smoking which is showing
the aspect of illicit drug during the pregnancy which is associated with the double or even triple
6

risk of stillbirth. It is also estimated that the about 5 percent of pregnant women used to face the
issue of addictiveness that is related with the drug and street drugs. After the year of pregnancy,
there are some of the aspect which is act as issue with mother and child are they have higher risk
within the mental health disorder, peer pressure, lack of family involvement, early use and taking
the higher addictive drug that may use to create hallucination and due to this, lack of focus
towards the family is analysed (Yu and et. al., 2018).
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion, it is well analysed that there are some of the phases which
include pre conception, pregnancy and after pregnancy which is after calibrated after one year.
During the pre-conception, pregnancy and one year after the pregnancy. There are some of the
factor which may affect the healthy aspect of pregnant women. In addition, the factor which may
influence and render the health of pregnant women due to the habit of alcoholism, smoking and
drug abuse. It may also affect the birth, delayed in pregnancy and many more that enhance the
complication regarding with mother and child. Moreover, the proper precaution is being in order
to reduce the complication which may associated with the mother. It also affects foetus
development due to the alcoholism, smoking and drug abuse. However, after the childbirth, the
habit of alcoholism, smoking and drug of mother is persistent then it creates poor care and
support for the children.
7

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Braeken, M.A.K.A. and Bogaerts, A., 2020. Effect of lifestyle interventions in obese pregnant
women on the neurocognitive development and anthropometrics of preschool
children. Obesity facts, 2(2), pp.256-266.
Chan, K.L. and Chen, M., 2019. Effects of social media and mobile health apps on pregnancy
care: meta-analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(1), p.e11836.
Gharachourlo and et. al., 2018. The effect of a health literacy approach to counselling on the
lifestyle of women with gestational diabetes: A clinical trial. F1000Research, 7.
Goveia and et. al., 2018. Lifestyle intervention for the prevention of diabetes in women with
previous gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in
endocrinology, p.583.
Grobler, L., Visser, M. and Siegfried, N., 2019. Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative: Summary of
the evidence base for pregnancy‐related interventions to prevent overweight and obesity
in children. Obesity Reviews, 20, pp.18-30.
Li and et. al., 2021. Effect of Prepregnancy Lymphocyte Active Immunotherapy on Unexplained
Recurrent Miscarriage, Pregnancy Success Rate, and Maternal-Infant Outcome. BioMed
Research International, 2021.
Okesene-Gafa and et. al., 2019. Effect of antenatal dietary interventions in maternal obesity on
pregnancy weight-gain and birthweight: Healthy Mums and Babies (HUMBA)
randomized trial. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 221(2), pp.152-e1.
Toft and et. al., 2022. Gestational diabetes mellitus follow-up in Norwegian primary health care:
a qualitative study. BJGP open.
Van Dammen and et. al., 2018. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of lifestyle interventions
in women of reproductive age with overweight or obesity: the effects on symptoms of
depression and anxiety. Obesity reviews, 19(12), pp.1679-1687.
van Elten and et. al., 2018. Effects of a preconception lifestyle intervention in obese infertile
women on diet and physical activity; A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled
trial. PloS one, 13(11), p.e0206888.
Wekker and et. al., 2019. Long-term effects of a preconception lifestyle intervention on
cardiometabolic health of overweight and obese women. European journal of public
health, 29(2), pp.308-314.
Williamson and et. al., 2018. Exploring the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the
pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. Pregnancy hypertension, 13, pp.248-253.
Yu and et. al., 2018. Effect of exercise during pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus:
a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal
Medicine, 31(12), pp.1632-1637.
8

9