How the environment affects fertility, pregnancy, and childhood development

Summary

This video highlights the crucial role of environmental factors in fertility, pregnancy, and childhood development. It discusses the impact of pollutants, such as air and water pollution, pesticides, and solid waste, on human reproduction and child development. Key health measures, like taking folic acid before pregnancy and avoiding smoking, are emphasized. The video also touches on the importance of flu vaccination during pregnancy, the benefits of removing lead from gasoline, and the ongoing mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to create a healthier environment for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Environmental factors, such as air and water pollution, pesticides, and solid waste, affect a woman's ability to get pregnant and the physical development of her child.
• 😀 Folic acid reduces the risk of serious birth defects, including brain and spine defects, as well as facial clefts such as cleft lip and palate.
• 😀 To reduce the risk of birth defects, it’s important to start taking folic acid multivitamins before pregnancy, not just once pregnancy symptoms appear.
• 😀 Smoking negatively affects fertility and increases the risk of infant mortality, both before and after birth.
• 😀 Vaccinations, like the flu vaccine, are safe for pregnant women and can prevent harm to the fetus, unlike contracting the flu during pregnancy, which increases fetal death risk.
• 😀 Taking steps to stop smoking before pregnancy is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby.
• 😀 The NIH has contributed to significant environmental health improvements, such as the removal of lead from gasoline, which has reduced air pollution and lowered children's lead exposure.
• 😀 Lead exposure can cause developmental issues in children, including delayed muscle and bone development, as well as language and speech delays.
• 😀 The NIH’s mission is to understand the impact of environmental factors on pregnancy, fertility, and childhood development to promote healthier lives.
• 😀 Protecting the environment not only benefits individual health but also helps improve long-term health outcomes for future generations.

Q & A

What are some of the key steps a woman can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy?

A woman can take steps such as eating a balanced diet, taking prenatal vitamins, and exercising regularly to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

How do environmental factors affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant and the development of a child?

Environmental factors such as air and water pollution, pesticides, and solid waste can affect a woman's ability to get pregnant and can influence the physical development of a child both during fetal development and throughout childhood.

What is the role of folic acid in pregnancy, and why is it important before pregnancy?

Folic acid is crucial for reducing the risk of serious birth defects of the brain and spine, as well as reducing the risk of facial clefts like cleft lip and cleft palate. It's important to start taking folic acid before pregnancy as these deformities develop early in the baby's development.

Why is it essential for women to stop smoking before or during pregnancy?

Smoking reduces fertility and increases the risks of pregnancy complications such as fetal death in the uterus and infant mortality after birth. It's vital for both the woman's health and the baby's development to stop smoking.

Is it safe for pregnant women to get a flu vaccine?

Yes, it is safe. Studies have shown that pregnant women who received the flu vaccine during the 2009 flu epidemic had healthy babies. However, women who contracted the flu during pregnancy faced an increased risk of fetal death.

How did the removal of leaded gasoline contribute to environmental health?

The removal of leaded gasoline, which was supported by research from NIH, dramatically reduced lead pollution in the air. This helped decrease children's exposure to lead, which can cause developmental problems such as slowed muscle and bone growth, muscle incoordination, and delays in language and speech.

What is the mission of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)?

The mission of NIEHS is to understand how the environment affects human health, with the goal of promoting healthier lives through research that informs public health policies and practices.

What are some examples of scientific breakthroughs supported by NIEHS?

NIEHS has contributed to breakthroughs in areas such as understanding environmental factors that affect birth defects, preterm delivery, and childhood development.

What is the significance of NIEHS’s research on the flu vaccine during pregnancy?

NIEHS's research demonstrated that the flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and that getting vaccinated helps protect both the mother and the baby from the potentially harmful effects of influenza during pregnancy.

Why is it important for NIEHS to study the environmental factors affecting fertility, pregnancy, and childhood development?

It is crucial for NIEHS to study these environmental factors because they help identify risks that could harm fertility, pregnancy, and childhood development. The research aids in creating healthier environments and improving public health outcomes.