Impacts of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Babies - Essay Example

"Impacts of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Babies" is a worthy example of a paper on the endocrine system.

Chemicals that cause disturbance to the normal functioning of the endocrine system are known as endocrine disruptors. The endocrine system is a system that consists of glands that produce particular hormones in the bloodstream, which help maintain different body functions under check. Some of these functions are blood sugar levels, heart rate, and any other part regulated by the endocrine system. When these chemicals enter the body, they emulate the natural hormones and how they work. These chemicals pose severe health issues due to their interference with the regulatory mechanism of the body. People come into contact with endocrine chemicals everywhere, be it in water or foods. Their particles can also be transmitted through breathing since they can be suspended by air. Some of these chemicals are used in various ways, such as plastics, storage materials, foods, and children's products. Though everyone is at risk posed by these chemicals, babies are at a higher risk since the hormone systems play a significant role in organ development both in and out of the womb. The biology of children is different, which makes them more vulnerable. The exposure to the chemicals for children is greater to their body size since they drink more water, eat a lot of food, and breathe more air than adults. This paper will discuss some impacts of these chemicals.

Babies are at risk of developing disorders of sexual development, such as ambiguous genitalia. It happens when a newborn has unclear genitalia, whether boy or girl. A baby can have a clitoris that is enlarged if the baby is a girl, that appears to be more like a penis and labia can fuse such that they would seem like a scrotum (Neuhauser et al. 232-238). The penis fails to form or is very small to individual babies, and the opening may be at the base instead of the tip of the penis. Male genital congenital disabilities are associated with exposure to prenatal phthalate. These conditions fall in a set of disorders of sex development (DSD).

A rare condition that prevents hormones known as Growth Hormone Deficiency is another impact that babies are likely to experience. The pituitary gland, an organ located at the base of the brain, makes the growth hormone. Growth and bone strength depend on the growth hormone, which makes it essential, especially in children; it also controls glucose and fat in the body (Aguiar-Oliveira et al. 575-601). Children are likely to grow slowly and shorter than children of the same age without enough growth hormone. This condition can develop after birth due to a brain tumor when the mother exposes the pregnancy to these harmful chemicals.

Turner syndrome for female infants is another condition that is likely to occur due to endocrine chemicals. A genetic disorder that arises when a female infant is born without or changed X chromosome is known as Turner syndrome. The body's development and functions are instructed by genes contained in the chromosomes (Li, Ping et al. 573-583). Females usually have two X chromosomes. The TS characteristics vary, and the condition can not be diagnosed until the girl reaches puberty age. The main feature of this condition is short stature and ovaries failing to produce eggs or female hormones. A child may develop abnormalities such as non-verbal learning disabilities, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

In conclusion, exposure of babies to harmful chemicals can lead to serious health problems experienced at birth or a later stage of life. Some of these health problems are cancer, diabetes, and other congenital disabilities. They can all be avoided if people have limited exposure to them, whether in foods or water.