A teratogen is a substance or agent that can cause birth defects in a developing fetus. Teratogenic substances can be physical agents, such as radiation or certain infections, or they can be chemical agents, such as drugs or environmental toxins.
The effects of teratogens on a developing fetus can be varied and range from mild to severe. Some birth defects may be immediately apparent at birth, while others may not become apparent until later in life. In some cases, teratogenic exposure may lead to stillbirth or spontaneous abortion.
There are several factors that can affect the potential for a teratogen to cause birth defects. These include the stage of fetal development at the time of exposure, the dose of the teratogen, and the genetic susceptibility of the fetus. Some people may be more vulnerable to the effects of teratogens due to inherited genetic traits.
It is important for pregnant women to be aware of potential teratogens and to take steps to avoid exposure during pregnancy. Some common teratogens that pregnant women should be aware of include certain medications, alcohol, tobacco, and certain infections.
Pregnant women should also be aware of the potential for environmental toxins to act as teratogens. These can include chemicals found in certain industries, such as lead or mercury, as well as pesticides and other substances found in the home or workplace.
In conclusion, teratogens are substances or agents that can cause birth defects in a developing fetus. Pregnant women should be aware of potential teratogens and take steps to avoid exposure during pregnancy to protect the health of their developing child.
When Are Teratogens Most Harmful During Pregnancy?
What are 4 teratogens? When is the most fragile time during pregnancy? Street drugs and pregnancy. People with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome might have abnormal facial features, growth problems, and central nervous system brain and spinal cord problems. Following is an overview of the diagnostic guidelines for fetal alcohol syndrome. Examples of Teratogens The following are examples of common teratogens and the defects they can cause: Alcohol is one of the most commonly recognized teratogens. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy. Today, drugs, food additives, and pesticides all undergo testing to determine if they are teratogens so that developing fetuses can be better protected from them. Other problems can include sensitivity to taste or touch, difficulty reading facial expression, and difficulty responding appropriately to common parenting practices e.
But confirmed alcohol use during pregnancy is not needed if the child meets the other criteria. A behavioral teratogen is a substance that also causes behavioral problems. Category A drugs have no effect on a pregnancy. Experts recommend eating no more than 6 ounces per week. These delays affect how a person controls his or her muscles. There are also a number of legal prescription drugs that are not safe for pregnant women to use.
This will reduce your risk of toxoplasmosis. Phenylketonuria, another metabolic condition, leads to high levels of phenylalanine in the mother's bloodstream is associated with low birth weight, heart defects, and mental issues in the baby. A Word From Verywell There is no way to shield your unborn child from every potential developmental concern. How can teratogens be avoided during pregnancy? What is the meaning of teratogens? Do not smoke, use drugs or consume alcohol during pregnancy These teratogens greatly increase the risk of fetal birth defects and other life threatening conditions. Teratogens provide the greatest risk to the developing fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy, beginning around 10 to 14 days after conception and continuing approximately 8 weeks into the pregnancy.
This is often the time when a person is most susceptible to teratogens, meaning that if they are exposed to a teratogen, there is a greater chance that the child may be born with a birth defect. Infected cats can spread toxoplasma, an infectious teratogen, via kitty litter Maternal Metabolic Conditions Maternal metabolic conditions affecting pregnant mothers form the final category of teratogens. Teratogenic agents include infectious agents rubella, cytomegalovirus, varicella, herpes simplex, toxoplasma, syphilis, etc. How early can teratogens affect development? Teratogens were first defined in 1832 by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a French physician. Planning for pregnancy allows you to get chronic medical conditions under control and make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking. In March of Dimes. How are teratogens known? For example, the retinoic acid isotretinoin which is commonly used for acne treatment cannot be given to any patient unless they are enrolled in iPLEDGE, a risk management program designed to prevent fetal exposure to isotretinoin.
Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, a physician from Paris, France, defined it in 1832 in Histoire générale et particuliére des anomalies de l'organisation chez l'homme et les animaux General and Particular History of Structural Monstrosities in Man and Animals. A teratogen is any substance or condition that can negatively affect the development of an embryo or fetus inside a pregnant woman. Once the fertilized egg is attached to the uterus, the mother and the embryo share a blood supply. Alcohol teratogen Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD is a condition in a child that results when alcohol is consumed while pregnant. Medical Genetics: Teratogens What is a teratogen? There is no cure for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol damages brain cells, which can lead to mental retardation in many children who were exposed during gestation.
The most common teratogenic effects are neural tube defects, congenital heart abnormalities, cleft lip or palate, and fetal stillbirth. A 1920's study found that 24 out of 74 children who had in-utero exposure to ionizing radiation had some form of congenital disability. Timeline of Teratogen Exposure The effects of teratogen exposure are considered highly dependent on the specific timing of the exposure, with relation to the different development stages of the fetus. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 5 4 , 228-238. The United States Food and Drug Administration FDA created five categories to classify the risks of medications during pregnancy. They are things that a mother may be exposed to during her pregnancy. Fetal exposure to teratogens accounts for about 4% to 5% of congenital disorders.
They might do poorly in school and have difficulties with math, memory, attention, judgment, and poor impulse control. Teratology is the scientific field that studies teratogens, abnormal fetal development, and congenital disabilities. For example, thalidomide was a medication commonly given to pregnant people in the 1950s to treat morning sickness. Babies born to a parent who drinks alcohol or has certain health conditions, like thyroid disorders, have been shown to have lower IQ scores. None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Osmosis or this website. Can you harm baby before implantation? Exposure and Prevalence About 4% to 5% of birth defects are caused by exposure to a teratogen.
Genetics is another factor that can lead to developmental and functional defects in the fetus 20-25% of cases. Things pregnant women are often told to avoid include meeting people with infectious diseases, exposure to kitty litter, consuming raw meats, exposure to lead paint in old buildings, taking prescription drugs, taking very hot baths, consuming alcohol, nicotine, or illegal drugs, or being in any other situation that exposes them to teratogens. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Studies have shown that teratogens cause congenital disorders and increase the chance for miscarriage, stillbirth or other pregnancy complications. Is coffee a teratogen? Embryo Project Encyclopedia 2014-01-22. Hadley, Janet Waterhose, and William S. Keeping your hands clean helps you avoid infections and potentially dangerous chemical residues.
