Topic: Any topic (writer’s choice) Type of paper: Essay (any type) Discipline: Health Care and Life Sciences : Toxicology Format or citation style: APA A doctor can send hair samples from a newborn infant to be analyzed in the lab to see if the mother drank alcohol during the pregnancy. This is one test that can be performed to assist in diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome. Recalling what you know about elimination of toxicants, briefly explain why this test can be used to determine exposure to alcohol.
The analysis of hair samples to detect exposure to alcohol during pregnancy is a valuable tool in diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) due to the way toxicants are eliminated from the human body. In order to understand why this test is effective, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the processes involved in the elimination of toxicants.
The body eliminates substances, such as alcohol, through a process called metabolism. After alcohol is consumed, it undergoes a two-step process of metabolism in the liver. The first step involves the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde, which is a highly toxic substance. This conversion is facilitated by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. The next step involves the further metabolism of acetaldehyde to acetate, which is a relatively harmless compound. This second step is catalyzed by an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.
While the majority of alcohol is metabolized in the liver, a small proportion (about 5%) is eliminated through other routes such as breath, urine, and sweat. However, a significant portion of alcohol is also incorporated into body tissues, including hair, during the metabolism process. This incorporation occurs through the blood supply that nourishes hair follicles.
Hair growth and the formation of hair strands take place in a region of the hair follicle called the hair matrix. As hair grows, the cells of the hair matrix are nourished by blood vessels and receive a supply of nutrients and substances circulating in the blood, including alcohol. Consequently, if alcohol is present in the bloodstream, it may become embedded in the growing hair strands.
The hair shaft, which consists of dead cells, retains the chemical substances that were incorporated during hair growth. Therefore, by analyzing a hair sample, it is possible to determine the presence of alcohol or its metabolites during the time of hair growth. As hair grows at an average rate of 0.5 inches per month, a segment of hair can provide a timeline of exposure to alcohol, presenting a retrospective view of the individual’s history of alcohol consumption.
It is worth noting that hair analysis is a highly sensitive technique that can detect even low levels of alcohol or its metabolites. Additionally, the analysis is not limited to the detection of ethanol (the alcohol commonly consumed), but it can also identify other metabolites such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs). These metabolites are formed in the body as a result of alcohol metabolism and provide more precise information about alcohol consumption patterns.
Furthermore, the hair analysis test provides other advantages over traditional methods of alcohol detection, such as blood and urine tests. For instance, while blood and urine tests are only able to detect recent alcohol consumption, hair analysis can reveal a longer history of alcohol exposure. This is due to the fact that alcohol and its metabolites are incorporated into the hair shaft during hair growth, providing a permanent record of past exposure.
Additionally, hair analysis eliminates the need for invasive and sometimes uncomfortable sample collection procedures, such as blood draws or urine collection. Hair samples can be obtained easily, non-invasively, and with minimal discomfort, even from newborn infants.
In conclusion, the analysis of hair samples is an effective method for determining exposure to alcohol during pregnancy and assisting in diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome. The incorporation of alcohol and its metabolites into growing hair strands allows for a retrospective view of alcohol consumption patterns. The sensitivity of the hair analysis technique and its ability to detect a longer history of exposure makes it a valuable tool in toxicology, particularly in assessing the effects of alcohol on fetal development.