Behavioral teratology is the study of the effects of exposure to teratogenic agents (e.g., drugs, toxins) on subsequent behavior among offspring. Several decades of study link teratogenic exposure to cognitive and behavioral effects, including psychopathology.
When are teratogens most harmful?
Teratogens are substances that could harm a developing fetus by affecting growth and causing birth defects or death. The use of tobacco during pregnancy is dangerous because the smoke causes the blood vessels to constrict.
Which factors are considered teratogens?
Types of Teratogens
- Alcohol. Wine, beer, and all other types of alcohol can harm a baby during pregnancy. ...
- Smoking Cigarettes. ...
- Recreational Drugs. ...
- Certain Medications. ...
- Some Infections. ...
- Harmful Physical Agents. ...
- Toxic Chemicals and Substances. ...
- Maternal Health Problems. ...
What are considered teratogens?
- Physical teratogens
- Chemical teratogens
- Maternal metabolic conditions
- Infectious teratogens
Why are teratogens harmful?
What Is a Teratogen?
- Types. The impact of teratogens on pregnancy or a fetus depends on several factors. ...
- Exposure and Prevalence. About 4% to 5% of birth defects are caused by exposure to a teratogen. ...
- Prevention. Sometimes it can be difficult to avoid teratogens altogether, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition or require medication.
- A Word From Verywell. ...
What are 3 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 5 types of teratogens?
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.
What are the 7 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 is the most commonly used teratogen?
The most common malformations include craniofacial dysmorphisms, cleft palate, thymic aplasia, and neural tube defects. The tranquilizer thalidomide is one of the most famous and notorious teratogens.
What are some examples of environmental teratogens?
Contents2.1 Alcohol.2.2 Tobacco smoke.2.3 Mercury.2.4 Lead.2.5 Dioxin.2.6 Air pollution.2.7 Pesticides.2.8 Benzenes.More items...
What are teratogens in pregnancy?
A teratogen (ter-AT-uh-jen) is something that can cause or raise the risk for a birth defect in a baby. They are things that a mother may be exposed to during her pregnancy. Teratogens include: Some medicines.
What are chemical teratogens?
A teratogen is an agent that can cause malformations of an embryo or fetus. This can be a chemical substance, a virus or ionizing radiation. This is closely related to a fetotoxin, an agent that causes poisoning effects on a developing fetus.
Is smoking teratogenic?
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of health problems for developing babies, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects of the mouth and lip. Smoking during and after pregnancy also increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When are teratogens most harmful during pregnancy?
The embryonic period, during which organogenesis takes place, occurs between implantation at around 14 days to around 60 days postconception. This is usually the most sensitive period to teratogenesis when exposure to a teratogenic agent has the greatest likelihood of producing a malformation.
Which is not considered a teratogen?
Examples of non-teratogenic agents: spermicides, acetaminophen, prenatal vitamins, using a microwave to cook food. A non-teratogenic agent is one which does not cause birth defects.
Is alcohol considered a teratogen?
Both alcohol and its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde, are teratogenic. Exposure during pregnancy may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and this is said to occur in a substantial proportion of infants born to mothers who are chronic, heavy daily drinkers.
What is a teratogen?
A teratogen is a substance that can cause abnormalities or birth defects in a developing fetus. Common teratogens include some medications, recreational drugs, tobacco products, chemicals, alcohol, certain infections, and in some cases, uncontrolled health problems in the birthing parent.
What are teratogens? What are some examples?
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 happens if you are exposed to teratogens?
Specifically, if exposure to a teratogen occurs during the first 3.5 to 4.5 weeks of gestation, a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida or anencephaly, may result. Various agents have been determined to not cause birth defects and are known as non-teratogenic agents.
How long does it take for a teratogen to develop?
Teratogens can begin affecting the developing embryo as early as 10 to 14 days after conception . During embryonic development, there are periods when the developing organ systems show more sensitivity to teratogens.
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 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 much exercise is needed for hyperthermia?
Research has found moderate exercise (defined as up to 35 minutes at 50% to 70% of maximum heart rate) and limited exposure to hot baths and saunas to be safe. 6.
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.
How to limit exposure to lead?
You can limit your exposure to household lead by keeping painted surfaces in good shape, cleaning lead dust with a wet paper towel, using only certified lead professionals for renovations, wiping or removing shoes before entering your home, and having lead water lines replaced. 9.
What are the risks of diabetes?
Maternal phenylketonuria (PKU) Research suggests that maternal autoimmune disease may be associated with some birth defects, but not with most of them. 11 Risks associated with diabetes include birth defects of the spine, brain, limbs, and heart. 12.
How much seafood should pregnant women eat?
The “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025” recommends that pregnant people eat 8 to 12 ounces of seafood per week from choices that are low in methylmercury. 8. Lead exposure can happen from contact with lead in the air, soil, water, and household dust.
What Is A teratogen?
Is Alcohol A teratogen?
- Alcohol is a teratogen that can affect the central nervous system of the developing fetus. The central nervous system is sensitive to teratogensfor the entire duration of pregnancy, and if alcohol is consumed at any point, there can be severe health problems or birth defects in the baby. It is recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol for the duration of a pregnancy.
Is Chickenpox A teratogen?
- Chickenpox can have teratogenic effects on a fetus. If a pregnant person develops chickenpox in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is a slight risk of a rare, but serious, birth defect known as congenital varicellasyndrome. A fetus with congenital varicella syndrome is at risk of developing skin scars, abnormalities of the eyes, legs, arms, and brain, as well as gastrointestinal problems…
Is BPA A teratogen?
- BPA, or bisphenol A, may potentially have teratogenic effects on a developing fetus. BPA is a chemical found mainly in plastic, and is often used in containers that store beverages and food. When exposed to heat, the BPA can leach into food and be ingested. At this time, it is unclear whether BPA has teratogenic effectson the fetus. Recent studies conducted on mice hypothesiz…
Is Caffeine A teratogen?
- Caffeine is not considered to be a teratogen. It is, however, a stimulant and diuretic, which can cause an increase in an individual’s blood pressure and heart rate. If consumed during pregnancy, caffeine can cross the placenta and can have similar effects on the developing fetus’s blood pressure and heart rate. Current recommendations for caffeine consumption during pregnancy s…
What Are The Most Important Facts to Know About Teratogens?
- A teratogen is a substance that can cause abnormalities or birth defects in a developing fetus. 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 …