What is a teratogenic agent?

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.

What are teratogens give examples?

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 is meant by teratogenesis?

Teratogenesis is a prenatal toxicity characterized by structural or functional defects in the developing embryo or fetus. It also includes intrauterine growth retardation, death of the embryo or fetus, and transplacental carcinogenesis (in which chemical exposure of the mother initiates cancer development in the…

What are teratogens and their effects?

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.

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 2 common teratogens?

Alcohol and smoking are two common teratogens. Exposure to either of them can lead to developmental anomalies, miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labor, and a variety of other pregnancy complications.

What drugs are teratogenic?

Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:

  • ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as: …
  • Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
  • Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
  • Androgens (male hormones).
  • Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.
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Is smoking a teratogen?

Known teratogens include alcohol, smoking, toxic chemicals, radiation, viruses, some maternal health conditions, and certain prescription drugs. Amount: The amount of harm to a fetus increases the more the pregnant person consumes or is exposed to a teratogen.

What causes teratogenesis?

Causes of teratogenesis can broadly be classified as: Toxic substances, such as, for humans, drugs in pregnancy and environmental toxins in pregnancy. Potassium iodide is a possible teratogen. Potassium iodide in its raw form is a mild irritant and should be handled with gloves.

What is teratogenic action?

Teratogenic drugs: A teratogen is an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.

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.

Can teratogens cause birth defects?

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.

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.

How do you prevent teratogens?

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.

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What is the most commonly used 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).

Is chocolate a teratogen?

Animal studies explored chocolate-induced teratogenicity and fetal metabolic derangements. … Chocolate is nonteratogenic and does not affect reproductive indices. Metabolic derangements in offsprings born to chocolate fed dams have been reported. Pregnant females must be careful about consumption of cocoa and chocolate.

What period of pregnancy is very sensitive to teratogens?

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 fruit should I avoid during pregnancy?

Papaya– It tops the list for obvious reasons. Raw or semi ripe papaya contains latex which can induce premature contractions and that can be dangerous for your baby.

What is FDA and drug teratogens?

If a drug is classified as being teratogenic, it means that medication has the potential to cause developmental malformations or birth defects to a fetus when taken by a pregnant woman.

Which antiepileptic drug is safest in pregnancy?

Of the new anti-seizure medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam are the most widely used due to their known safety during pregnancy. Clearance of lamotrigine and levetiracetam doubles during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy.

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Which teratogenic drug causes hand eye defects?

Thalidomide was recognized as a human teratogen in the early 1960s when an unusually large number of infants with severe limb defects and other anomalies were noted in Europe in association with the maternal use of thalidomide.

Does the placenta look different if you smoke?

Smokers have thinner, rounder placentas than nonsmokers and the distance from the edge of rupture of the membranes to the placental margin is reduced among smokers.

Is it OK to smoke one cigarette a day while pregnant?

Smoking during pregnancy carries significant risks for you and your baby, even if you only smoke one cigarette a day. Smoking can increase your baby’s risk of birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, and SIDS.

Why is smoking bad pregnancy?

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).