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 teratogen means?
Teratogens are substances that may produce physical or functional defects in the human embryo or fetus after the pregnant woman is exposed to the substance. Alcohol and cocaine are examples of such substances.
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.
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 is a teratogenic drug?
Drugs that can cause birth defects are said to be ‘teratogenic drugs’. Medical science cannot always predict how exposure to a teratogenic drug will affect a developing fetus. It can be dangerous for a pregnant woman to stop taking prescription drugs if she has a medical condition or becomes ill.
When is the brain most likely to be harmed by teratogens?
Major malformations are more common in early embryos than in newborns; however, most severely affected embryos are spontaneously aborted during the first six to eight weeks of gestation. During organogenesis between days 15 to 60, teratogenic agents are more likely to cause major congenital malformations.
What foods contain teratogens?
Potential Teratogenic Foods
- Unpasteurized Animal Products: Pasteurization is a method used to kill bacteria in many dairy products.
- Meat-Eating Fish: While contents in fish (like omega-3 fatty acids) benefit the developing child, they can also be a source contaminants like mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Which of these prescription drugs are most likely to function as teratogens?
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.
Do teratogens always cause damage?
Teratogens are any agents from the environment that can cause harm to the developing fetus. Many harmful agents cause damage only if exposure occurs during a sensitive period of prenatal development. About 45% or more pregnancies end in miscarriage, that is, spontaneous abortion.
What is most damaging teratogen?
One of the most consistently damaging teratogens is: epinephrine. testosterone. serotonin. dopamine. alcohol.
What are the four categories of teratogens?
Additionally, teratogens may also affect pregnancies and cause complications such as preterm labors, spontaneous abortions, or miscarriages. Teratogens are classified into four types: physical agents, metabolic conditions, infection, and finally, drugs and chemicals.
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 when possible and to avoid exposure to the following: Avoid prolonged stays in whirlpools, steam rooms, or saunas.
What does teratogen mean in medical dictionary?
Definition of Teratogen Teratogen: Any agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus. Teratogens may cause a birth defect in the child. Or a teratogen may halt the pregnancy outright.
