When are teratogens most harmful?
Time of exposure: Teratogens are most harmful early in pregnancy, starting about 10 to 14 days after conception to about 8 weeks into pregnancy. Genetics: Sometimes, the pregnant person's or the baby's unique genetics protect them or make them more vulnerable to certain teratogens.
What are the harmful effect of teratogens?
“A teratogen is any disease drug, or other environmental agent that can harm a developing fetus (for example, by causing deformities, blindness, brain damage, or even death)” (Rider and Sigelman 101). Teratogens can range from many different agents such as smoking, alcohol, or even coffee.
How can teratogens affect development?
Teratogens may affect the embryo or fetus in a number of ways, causing physical malformations, problems in the behavioral or emotional development of the child, and decreased intellectual quotient (IQ) in the child. Additionally, teratogens may also affect pregnancies and cause complications such as preterm labors, spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages.
When do teratogens affect fetus?
The risk of teratogens to a developing fetus is often early in the pregnancy—usually the first trimester and often before implantation. Of course, the impact also depends on the level of exposure. If a teratogen has the ability to affect the development of the neural tube, the exposure would need to occur before the time the neural tube closes, which is around three to four weeks.
What are 2 examples of teratogens?
Common teratogens include some medications, recreational drugs, tobacco products, chemicals, alcohol, certain infections, and in some cases, uncontrolled health problems in the birthing parent. Alcohol is a well-known teratogen that can cause harmful effects on the fetus after exposure at any time during pregnancy.
What are 4 teratogens?
Teratogens are classified into four types: physical agents, metabolic conditions, infection, and finally, drugs and chemicals.
What are 2 examples of environmental teratogens?
Exposure to teratogens (e.g., lead, organophosphate pesticides, and certain medications) and engagement in certain activities that significantly elevate body temperature (e.g., excessive time spent in saunas and hot tubs) may result in birth defects and/or neurodevelopmental and behavioral deficits in offspring and ...
What teratogens are most harmful during pregnancy?
Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are shown to cause fetal growth restriction and skin discolouration. X-rays can cause problems with fetal development, such as spina bifida, cleft palate, blindness, abnormalities of the arms and legs, or microcephaly, which is a condition where the brain is too small.
What is the most common teratogen worldwide?
Exposure to alcohol in utero is the most common teratogenic cause of developmental disabilities, including microcephaly, cognitive disability, learning disabilities, ADHD and behavioural challenges. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) occurs worldwide in approximately 1.9 per 1000 live births.
What is a human teratogen?
A human teratogen is an agent that alters the growth or structure of the developing embryo or fetus, thereby causing birth defects.
Is alcohol a teratogen?
Alcohol is a known toxicant, causing cell death in a fetus, and a teratogen, altering cell cycle and function in a developing fetal brain, with PAE having immediate and persisting effects on an individual with FASDs.
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.
How many teratogens are there?
There are billions of potential teratogens, but only a few agents are proven to have teratogenic effects. These effects can result in a baby being born with a birth defect. Approximately 4 to 5 percent of birth defects are caused by exposure to a teratogen.
What birth defects are caused by teratogens?
During this time, teratogens can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Some organs are sensitive to teratogens during the whole pregnancy. This includes the baby's brain and spinal cord. Alcohol affects the brain and spinal cord, so it can cause harm at any time during pregnancy.
What drugs are teratogenic?
Teratogenic drugs and birth defectsACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.angiotensin II antagonist.isotretinoin (an acne drug)alcohol.cocaine.high doses of vitamin A.lithium.male hormones.More items...
Is Covid a teratogen?
SARS-CoV-2 infection in mothers does not have a significant teratogenic effect.
What medications are teratogens?
Teratogenic drugs and birth defectsACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.angiotensin II antagonist.isotretinoin (an acne drug)alcohol.cocaine.high doses of vitamin A.lithium.male hormones.More items...
What is teratogenesis in biology?
Teratogenesis is the creation of a deformed organism. A teratogen is any agent that physically or chemically alters developmental processes and produces congenital deformities.
What is male mediated teratogenesis?
Male-mediated exposures that increase the rate of mutation during spermatogenesis may well contribute to teratogenesis, as could those that produce other abnormalities in maturing spermatozoa or seminal fluid.
What are the principles of Teratology?
In considering the effects of drugs on pregnancy, it is important to remember the 6 principles of teratology: genetic susceptibility, development stage, mechanisms, end points, access, and dose response.
What is teratogen in pregnancy?
Table of Contents. Types. Exposure and Prevalence. Prevention. A teratogen is a substance that may lead to birth defects in an embryo or fetus. During pregnancy, exposure to certain chemicals, infections, and drugs may increase the risk that a person will miscarry or that the embryo or fetus could have a developmental abnormality.
How do teratogens affect pregnancy?
The impact of teratogens on pregnancy or a fetus depends on several factors. The timing and length of exposure, the stage of pregnancy when the exposure happened, whether a parent’s genes make them more susceptible, and the type of agent they were exposed to all contribute to the risk.
What are some examples of non-ionizing radiation?
Examples of non-ionizing radiation are microwaves, ultrasound, radio frequencies, computers, cell phones, and power lines. Studies have not found that these pose a significant risk during pregnancy. 4. Ionizing radiation includes things like X-rays, gamma rays, and sunlight. These can be harmful.
When to avoid teratogens during pregnancy?
It is important to avoid teratogens throughout your pregnancy, but the highest risk to a fetus is in the first trimester.
Is alcohol a teratogen?
The central nervous system, for example, can be impacted throughout an entire pregnancy. Alcohol is an example of a teratogen that can impact a developing fetus at any time during pregnancy. 14. It is important to avoid teratogens throughout your pregnancy, but the highest risk to a fetus is in the first trimester.
What are some examples of teratogens?
Examples of these teratogens can include mercury, potassium iodide, nuclear fallout radiation, and even high-temperature hot tubs! A teratogen is an agent that causes a malformation or defect in a developing fetus. Teratogens can affect the fetus up to two to three weeks after fertilization of the egg, or the zygote.
What is a teratogen?
Basically, a teratogen is an agent that, once in contact with a pregnant mother, will produce a defect in the developing fetus. A teratogen can be either a physical substance or a condition in the mother. The resulting defect can be either a physical abnormality or a functional defect. With this general definition in mind, ...
What is teratogen in pregnancy?
Teratogen is a substance that can cause embryos to malfunction resulting in birth defects and other problems. Explore the definition, exposure, and examples of teratogen in pregnancy. Recognize the sources of teratogen and understand that teratogen can impact a fetus in a variety of ways. Updated: 10/14/2021
What is the most common teratogen in the human body?
Alcohol is one of the most commonly recognized teratogens. Alcohol damages brain cells, which can lead to mental retardation in many children who were exposed during gestation. It can also lead to abnormalities in face and head size, as well as generally slow growth and cause abnormalities in the rest of the body.
What are the effects of teratogenic drugs on children?
Many illegal drugs, especially the stimulants cocaine and amphetamines, are also teratogenic. These drugs disrupt development of neurons and brain tissue, and babies whose mothers abuse them can be found to have cysts, or hollow spaces, in the brain. If the child survives, learning and behavioral problems often result.
What Is a Teratogen?
A teratogen is any agent that disrupts a baby's development when a person is exposed to it during pregnancy. Known teratogens include alcohol, smoking, toxic chemicals, radiation, viruses, some maternal health conditions, and certain prescription drugs.
When do teratogens cause the most damage?
Teratogens can cause harm from conception to delivery but often cause the most damage in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy.
How long does it take for a teratogen to harm a fetus?
Amount: The amount of harm to a fetus increases the more the pregnant person consumes or is exposed to a teratogen. Duration of exposure: The longer a fetus is exposed to a teratogen, the more dangerous the effects. Time of exposure: Teratogens are most harmful early in pregnancy, starting about 10 to 14 days after conception to about 8 weeks ...
How to get pregnant with teratogens?
Because teratogens cause harm starting around conception, it's a good idea to take these steps while trying to get pregnant or first learning you are pregnant: 15. Avoid alcohol. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. 3. Avoid or quit cigarettes.
What are the most dangerous infections?
A pregnant person's exposure to some viruses, bacteria, and parasites can pose harm to the baby. Some of the more dangerous infections are grouped under the acronym TORCH: 8 1 To xoplasma (often passed through cat feces) 2 R ubella (German measles) 3 C ytomegalovirus 4 H erpes simplex virus
Can teratogens cause miscarriage?
For instance, the risk of miscarriage is higher when you smoke or drink alcohol or are exposed to radiation and certain toxic chemicals. 4 These and other teratogens are also linked to premature birth . Additionally, 4% to 5% of birth defects are caused by teratogens.
What are teratogens in pregnancy?
Pregnancy and Teratogens. Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or even infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. There are billions of potential teratogens, but only a few agents are proven to have teratogenic effects. These effects can result in a baby being born with a birth defect.
How to reduce the risk of exposure to teratogens during pregnancy?
The best way to reduce the risk of exposure to teratogens during pregnancy is to avoid taking medications when possible and to avoid exposure to the following:
What to do if you are pregnant with teratogens?
If you need treatment with any of the medications that are known teratogens and you’re pregnant, ask your doctor to send you to a geneticist. Geneticists specialize in the effects of teratogens on fetuses and can help you assess your actual risk given a specific exposure.
What percentage of birth defects are caused by teratogens?
These effects can result in a baby being born with a birth defect. Approximately 4 to 5 percent of birth defects are caused by exposure to a teratogen. The majority of agents that people come into contact with aren’t proven teratogens. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about being exposed to a particular medication, chemical, ...
How long after conception can a teratogen be used?
Researchers believe a teratogen can affect a developing fetus about 10 to14 days after conception. The best way to reduce the risk of exposure to teratogens during pregnancy is to avoid taking medications ...