A teratogen is
any agent that causes an abnormality following fetal exposure during pregnancy
. Teratogens are usually discovered after an increased prevalence of a particular birth defect. For example, in the early 1960’s, a drug known as thalidomide was used to treat morning sickness.
What is the most common teratogen?
Alcohol
: One of the most commonly used teratogens is alcohol, and because half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it is recommended that women of child-bearing age take great caution against drinking alcohol when not using birth control or when pregnant (CDC, 2005).
What do teratogens do during pregnancy?
As a baby grows in the womb, teratogens
may affect parts of the baby’s body as they are forming
. For example, the neural tube closes in the first 3 to 5 weeks of the pregnancy. During this time, teratogens can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
What teratogens are most harmful during pregnancy?
One teratogen that affects the central nervous system is
alcohol
. Alcohol, at any time during the pregnancy, has the potential to cause birth defects and health problems in the baby, since the central nervous system is sensitive to teratogens the entire nine months of gestation.
What is an example of a teratogen?
A teratogen is something that
can cause birth defects or abnormalities
in a developing embryo or fetus upon exposure. Teratogens include some medications, recreational drugs, tobacco products, chemicals, alcohol, certain infections, and in some cases, health problems such as uncontrolled diabetes in pregnant people.
What are 4 teratogens?
Teratogens are classified into four types:
physical agents, metabolic conditions, infection, and finally, drugs and chemicals
. The word teratogen originates from the Greek word for monster, teratos.
Is caffeine a teratogen?
In humans,
caffeine does not present any teratogenic risk
. The increased risk of the most common congenital malformations entailed by moderate consumption of caffeine is very slight.
What are 3 examples of teratogens?
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as Zestril and Prinivil.
- alcohol.
- aminopterin.
- androgens, such as methyltestosterone (Android)
- busulfan (Myleran)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- chlorobiphenyls.
- cocaine.
How can teratogens be avoided during pregnancy?
Do not use chemicals that may harm your child
– This includes pesticides, fungicides, rodenticides, or harsh cleaning products. 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.
What are the two most common teratogens?
Teratogenic agents include infectious agents (
rubella, cytomegalovirus, varicella, herpes simplex, toxoplasma, syphilis
, etc.); physical agents (ionizing agents, hyperthermia); maternal health factors (diabetes, maternal PKU); environmental chemicals (organic mercury compounds, polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB, …
What are teratogens give 5 examples?
These include
certain chemicals, medications, social drugs, alcohol, smoking, and infections
.
Which is a best practice for a healthy pregnancy?
- Take a prenatal vitamin.
- Exercise regularly.
- Write a birth plan.
- Educate yourself.
- Change your chores (avoid harsh or toxic cleaners, heavy lifting)
- Track your weight gain (normal weight gain is 25-35 pounds)
- Get comfortable shoes.
- Eat folate-rich foods (lentils, asparagus, oranges, fortified cereals)
Is stress a teratogen?
Maternal psychological stress has essentially been conceptualized as
a teratogen
, that is, an agent that can generate deleterious perinatal and/or developmental outcomes.
What teratogens cause birth defects?
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.
- angiotensin II antagonist.
- isotretinoin (an acne drug)
- alcohol.
- cocaine.
- high doses of vitamin A.
- lithium.
- male hormones.
What stage of pregnancy do birth defects happen?
Most birth defects occur in
the first 3 months of pregnancy
, when the organs of the baby are forming. This is a very important stage of development. However, some birth defects occur later in pregnancy. During the last six months of pregnancy, the tissues and organs continue to grow and develop.
What stage of pregnancy is at most risk for teratogenic effects?
Abstract. Treatment of common illnesses in early pregnancy is complicated because of the risk of teratogenic effects of drugs on the fetus. The period of greatest risk is
between the first and eighth week of pregnancy
.
