Chart of critical periods of human development

Fetal development can be affected by environmental exposures occurring to either parent prior to conception, to the mother post conception, or to the fetus. This course of human development from fertilization to birth is extremely complex. A huge number of biochemical, physical, and organizational processes must be precisely coordinated to assure orderly development, maintain health, and avoid disease. Because of the complexity, there are numerous opportunities for “things to go wrong.” Children at prenatal developmental stages may be uniquely vulnerable to influences that have little impact at other points in their development or on adults. The Chart reviews crucial stages in human development from fertilization through birth and the implications of environmental and non-environmental insults or exposures at those different stages. It focuses on the prenatal developmental stages during which children may be particularly sensitive to exposures to agents or may be at risk of adverse effects that would not occur if exposures occurred during adulthood. Identifying these “critical” periods is essential to developing strategies that protect children from adverse health effects associated with environmental and non-environmental exposures. 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