Julia’s pregnancy seems to have a lot of exposures, both positive and negative which could affect her fetus. Let’s have a look at some of these and what she can do about them. First;
A) Julia has a few conditions or exposures which might increase the inflammatory response in her body. Identify 3 likely or potential causes of inflammation and explain how these exposures might change the development of the fetus using a specific example and describing the mechanism(s) by which this can occur (9 pts).
C) We know there are different possible outcomes as a result of exposures. Explain the difference between the developmental constraints model and the PAR model.
Given the exposure mentioned in B, discuss which model is likely to be followed and why you believe so. (9 pts)?
D) List 4 other exposures from the provided scenario which you feel are negative exposures for the fetus and why. List 2 positive exposures (10 pts).
E) What are 3 postnatal interventions Julia could do to reduce the effects of the in utero exposures seen in the scenario? Explain how these interventions might benefit the newborn (6 pts).
You are Julia’s new therapist, recommended by her doctor, and you are concerned about the stress she is having in the scenario. You want to explain to her some of the potential effects it might have on the development of her baby.
Describe the primary mechanism(s) by which maternal psychological stress can alter neural development of the fetus at different stages of development. Would the effects be different (Ex. more or less pronounced) if the baby was a girl? Explain (9 pts).
How might the development of the HPA axis be affected by stress (6 pts).
What role does the placenta play in counteracting the effects of stress (3pts).
What are 2 neurological structures might be affected and what behavioral consequences might that have on the fetus (4 pts)?
How is epigenetic modification involved in this process (6 pts)?
Julia went into labour at 34 weeks of pregnancy. Which medication (choose only one) could be responsible for the early delivery? Justify your choice by explaining the mechanism of action that the selected medication would have during pregnancy (8 pts).
Alterations in placental health metrics were observed during Julia’s pregnancy. Post-delivery, additional placental modifications were noted.
Using your knowledge of placental development and function, state 3 changes that took place in the placenta and describe potential causes (for each change) that could explain the placental health metrics and placental anatomy observed (9 pts).
What would be the consequences of each alteration (i.e., as identified in 4A) to the fetal environment as a result of these placental modifications (6 pts)?
Suppose the changes to the placental phenotype occurred early in gestation. Will the effects be more pronounced if the baby was a particular sex? Justify your reasoning for each sex (10 pts).
Julia’s blood glucose test revealed she was hyperglycemic and despite her efforts Julia was unable to bring her blood glucose to a normal range. Explain the short- and long-term health consequences of hyperglycemia for both Julia (6 pts) and her baby (6 pts).
