California State University, Northridge The Impact of Congenital Effects Discussion

Purpose: The general trend in the United States shows an increase in congenital defects. This is mainly due to increase in maternal age, meaning that women are having babies at later ages compared to a few decades ago, and women (and men) are becoming increasingly more unfit and unhealthy, which affects egg quality and prenatal habits. Due to the increased incidence of congenital defects, it is likely you will work with someone throughout your career who has or had a congenital defect. This makes congenital defects an important aspect of life to understand, especially how they can impact one’s postnatal growth and development. 

Course Learning Objectives Addressed: 

Describe the influence of extrinsic and genetic factors in prenatal development, and how they impact postnatal growth and development.