An optimal beginning
The pre-requisites for a gifted child inevitably is a healthy fetus. There is evidence that the mother's health condition and habits up to 6 months prior to conception may affect the fetus. During the 266 days between conception and birth, many environmental influences can complicate the unborn child's development. Among these are characteristics of the mother such as age, emotional state, and quality of diet. If a mother is malnourished, particularly during the last three months of pregnancy, she runs an increased risk of having a stillborn infant or a premature baby who may fail to survive.
Prenatal development may be disrupted by teratogens (drugs, diseases, chemicals, and radiation), which can attack the developing embryo or fetus and produce serious birth defects. Teratogens are dangerous throughout pregnancy; however, many of these agents are especially troublesome during the first eight weeks, when the major organs and body parts are developing. Many diseases may produce birth defects. Rubella, syphilis, herpes, and toxoplasmosis (from undercooked red meat and cat & cat feces) are particularly harmful.
Some drugs that may post particular problems include alcohol (yes, it is a drug); Amphetamines; antibiotics such as Streptomycin, Terramycin and Tetracycline; some anticonvulsants such as Dilantin for epilepsy; Barbiturates, hallucinogens such as LSD and marijuana; tranquilizers such as Reserpine, Lithium and Valium; narcotics; sex hormones such as those contained in birth control pills and drugs to prevent miscarriages; tobacco; and vitamins (A and D in excessive doses). These are known to cause congenital malformation and complications at birth. In addition, radiation and environmental chemical pollutants such as mercury and lead discharged into the air may have adverse effects on an unborn child.
Modern medicine has advanced to an extent that even unhealthy or developmentally compromised fetuses can often be snatched from the grasp of death. Although Hong Kong has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the western world, a surviving fetally malnourished or developmentally compromised infant may be sluggish, irritable, and neurologically immature - liabilities that could contribute to long-term deficits in social and intellectual development, as well as sleepless nights of guilt and worries and a severely drained bank account.
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