What are common teratogens?

What are common 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 four 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 is the number one teratogen?

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.

Is Thalidomide a teratogen?

Thalidomide is a potent teratogen that induces a range of birth defects, most commonly of the developing limbs.

Is Accutane a teratogen?

Isotretinoin is a molecule and a byproduct (metabolite) of vitamin A, and in greater than normal amounts in pregnant women, it can cause fetal abnormalities including cleft lips, ear and eye defects, and mental retardation.

Is folic acid a teratogen?

Folate deficiency has a well-established teratogenic effect, leading to an increasing risk of neural tube defects. This paper highlights the most recent medical literature about folate deficiency, be it maternal or paternal.

Is isotretinoin a teratogen?

Isotretinoin and its commercially available brands, although effective in the treatment of acne, can cause developmental abnormalities in the fetus (teratogenic effects) and therefore should not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects.

Is German measles a teratogen?

Rubella was one of the first viruses classified as a teratogen, a classification that introduced the possibility that environmental agents such as viruses could cause birth defects during embryological and fetal development.

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.

When are teratogens most harmful?

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 are the types of teratogens?

Teratogens are substances that cause harm to the fetus or embryo during pregnancy, causing birth defects while the mother shows no signs of toxicity. Common teratogens include ethanol, mercury compounds, lead compounds, phenol, carbon disulfide, toluene and xylene.

What are examples of teratogens?

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.