Prenatal Tobacco Exposure: Consequences on Child Development

The choice of Casey’s mother to smoke throughout the duration of her pregnancy can have several negative impacts on his early development. Cigarettes have been identified as teratogens which are environmental agents that can have adverse effects on a developing fetus (Feldman, 2016, p. 75). Since she used cigarettes throughout the entire pregnancy, Casey was exposed to this teratogen during all three prenatal stages of development which unfortunately includes the first two to eight weeks of his development known as the embryonic period of development. During this period, the developing child is especially sensitive to teratogen exposure and the effects can be detrimental (Smith, Prenatal Development II, Feb 6, 2017). A selection of some of the possible implications that could result from the mother’s decision to smoke cigarettes are described in the following paragraphs.

Their love, acceptance, and support of Casey and his mother can help reduce the amount of stress placed upon her and can help them navigate through the unfamiliar experiences that accompany pregnancy and birth as they have already had these experiences when raising Casey’s mother. This type of strong support system can help foster a supportive microsystem or the immediate environment in which he learns from the influences of those who closely surround him throughout his early infancy (Feldman, 2016, p.22). Because of his grandparents’ involvement in his mother’s life, his microsystem will be expanded beyond his mother’s influences to include the two of them as well. By having this type of loving and diversified microsystem, Casey will have more opportunities to develop in a socially interactive and constructive manner which can bear cognitive and emotional benefits throughout his infancy and