Name:_________________________________
Section:_______
Date:_____________
Risk Factors and Teen Parenting
Heredity
-Heredity: The passing of characteristics from biological parents to their children
 All body cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes
 23 chromosomes are passed from the mother and 23 chromosomes are passed from their
father to equal 46 chromosomes
-Chromosome: A threadlike structure that carries genes
-Sex Chromosomes:
 In females the pair of sex chromosomes is identical and called XX
o Every ovum contains an X chromosome
 In males the pair of sex chromosomes is not identical and are called XY
o Each sperm produced by a male contains either an X or a Y chromosome which
determines the sex of the baby
-Gene: A unit of hereditary material
 Genes determine inherited characteristics
o There are two genes for every trait
o One gene is located on each chromosome that makes up a pair
 Dominant Gene: Gene that overrides the expression of the other gene
o The dominant gene will trump the recessive gene
 Recessive Gene: Gene whose expression is overridden by the dominant gene
o Must have two recessive genes in order for that trait to appear
 Traits that occur more frequently are the result of dominant genes
Prenatal Care
-Amniocentesis: Is a procedure in which a needle is inserted through the uterus to extract fluid
from the amniotic sac. The cells in the fluid are analyzed to see if any genetic defects
-Ultrasound: A diagnostic procedure used to monitor the fetus where high frequency sound
waves are used to provide an image of the developing baby
Environmental
-Any exposure that occurs by way of the
mother and may cause a birth defect.
-Anything the mother puts in her body
-Examples: Alcohol, smoking, medications,
drugs, nutrition
Genetic
-Children can be born with too few or too
many chromosomes or a damaged
chromosome that leads to a birth defect
-Examples: Down Syndrome, Hemophilia,
and Color Blindness
-Obstetrician: A physician who specializes in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of
babies
-Prenatal Care: Care that is given to the mother and baby prior to birth
 Nutrition: A well-balanced diet is important to a pregnant female
o Premature birth or low birth weight may result from not enough nutrients
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Medication: A pregnant female needs to check with a physician prior to taking any
prescription or over the counter medications
o Can lead to birth defects from passing into the babies blood stream
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): The presence of severe birth defects in babies born to
mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy
o Includes damage to: Brain, Facial Abnormalities, Lower IQ, heart defects
Smoking/Secondhand Smoke: Pregnant females should not smoke or inhale smoke from
tobacco products
o Can Cause: Smaller babies, higher risk of miscarriage/stillbirth
Teen Parenting
-It costs $12,500 to raise a child in their first year of life
-It costs $282,400 to raise a baby for 18 years without college tuition
-Additional Issues:
 High High School dropout rate
 8 of 10 fathers do not marry the mother of their child
 Babies are high maintenance and require around the clock care so less time spent with
friends and participating in other activities
 May lead to resentment, envy and depression as teenage parents are unable to relate to
old friends
-ONLY WAY YOU WILL 100% NOT BECOME PREGNANT/A TEEN PARENT IS TO
PRACTICE ABSTINENCE!
 Abstinence: The practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something (choosing to
not be sexually active)