Toxoplasmosis

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Toxoplasmosis: Cause and Effect in Pregnant Women

Psychology 235, Human Growth and Development 001

November 15, 2013

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Abstract

Perhaps one life’s most complex, precious, and beautiful gifts is that of being pregnant. Along with pregnancy comes the realization that every aspect of your daily routine presents risks. In the world we live in today there are many things which may affect pregnancy and the development of the growing fetus within the mother’s womb. Such risks may include the way you sleep, the stress of being pregnant, or even an outside agent or factor also commonly known as teratogens. Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or even infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. There are billions of potential teratogens but only a few agents are proven to have teratogenic effects. For this paper, the main focus will be on identifying the teratogenetic effects of Toxoplasmosis on pregnant women and their unborn children. The following topics will be discussed: What is toxoplasmosis and how it can be contracted. The risk to the fetus in development, especially a fetus whose mother is *newly* infected with the parasite, the increased risk for mental retardation and other growth and developmental impairments The necessary steps that can be taken to prevent this will also be included. Lastly, how toxoplasmosis will affect a child through Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development.

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Toxoplasmosis: Cause and Effect in Pregnant Women

It is clear that the coding for development do not reside expressly or wholly in the genes or even in the zygote. The developing fetus is often sensitive to influences from the environment. However, this sensitivity makes the fetus vulnerable to environmental changes that can disrupt development. One such potentially life altering influence is Toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasmosis is considered to be a leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United...