Teratogens

PSY 0310

Thalidomide

A widely-available sedaive taken by mothers 4-6 weeks after conception 

Effects of thalidomide to the fetus

Deformities to the embryo’s arms and legs, sometimes ears, heart, kidneys, and genitals

Effects of thalidomide to infants

Grew older, scored lower in intelligence

How did thalidomide affect fetuses?

Through epigenetic mechanisms

Epigenetics

Changes in gene activity that occur without altering the actual DNA sequence 

Isotretinoin

Current most widely used, potent teratogenic medications, prescribed to treat acne

Effects of isotretinoin

Eye, ear, skull, brain, heart, and immune system abnormalities if taken during first trimester

How did isotretinoin affect fetuses? 

Any drug with a molecule small enough to penetrate placental barrier can enter the embryonic or fetal bloodstream 

Effects of nicotine on fetuses

• low birth weight

• chances of miscarriage

• prematurity

• cleft lip/palate

• blood vessel abnormalities

• impaired heart rate and breathing during sleep

• infant death

• asthma/cancer later in childhood

Effects of nicotine past childhood

• less attentive to sights/sound 

• display more muscle tension 

• more emotionally reactive to frustration 

• more often have colic (persistent crying) 

• difficulties with impulsivity/over activity 

• poorer memories 

• lower intelligence 

How does nic affect babies?

Constricts blood vessels in mother, which lessens blood flow to uterus, placenta grows abnormally

also raises concentration of carbon monoxide

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome facial abnormalities

• 2/3 of these: 

  • Short eyelid openings

  • Thin upper lip

  • Smooth/flattened philtrum

FAS symptoms

• Deficient physical growth 

• Deficient brain growth/profound brain injury 

• Cognitive impairment/behavioral impairment 

How does alc cause FAS?

Interferes with production and mitigation of neurons in the primitive neural tube, damaging brain structures including electrical and chemical activity involved in transferring messages from one part of the brain to another, drinking draws oxygen away from developing organism, widespread epigenetic changes

Lead effects on fetus

• Causes brain swelling

• hemorrhaging

• disrupted functioning of neurons

• widespread cell death

Lead effects past childhood 

• Impaired cognitive functioning 

• Higher blood levels associated with distractibility 

• Overactivity 

• Weak academic performance 

• Childhood behavior problems 

• Adolescent antisocial behavior 

Rubella

Worldwide epidemic

Rubella effects

• Deadness

• eye deformities

• Heart, genital, urinary, intestinal, bone, and dental defects

• Intellectual disability