TASK: With reference to at least 4 scholarly sources (including at least 3 empirical research studies) published between 2012 and 2022, discuss prenatal maternal health factors ( NOT LIFESTYLE CHOICES) that have been identified as potentially impacting infant developmental outcomes. In your response, you need to consider implications for infant developmental outcomes for at least two of the developmental domains (PHYSICAL & MOTOR DEVELOPMENT; COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT; ATTACHMENT; JOINT ATTENTION; THEORY OF MIND; EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT) Based on the research findings, suggest two implications/suggestions for supporting mothers during the prenatal period. Note: Your selected research articles need to focus on children aged 60 months and under. The participants in the studies you locate may range beyond this but must include children in the specified age range. E.g. a study with children aged 24 – 72 months (i.e. 2-6 years) would be acceptable but a study with only children aged 6 – 7 years would not. Selected research studies should reflect a range of methods researchers have used to study early development in children age birth – 60 months. MATERNAL PRENATAL HEALTH: – Diseases: – Viral e.g. AIDS, Rubella – Bacterial e.g. tuberculosis – Parasite e.g., malaria, toxoplasmosis Other factor: – poor health e.g. obesity – Poor nutrition e.g. malnutrition – Emotional stress/mental health issue e.g. increased anxiety, depression. Not to be confused with other environmental teratogens that may be transmitted to foetus via mother but are not prenatal maternal health issues (smoking/alcohol consumption) unless alcohol consumption/substance abuse if linked to mental health/ maternal health issues.
