Teratogens

Teratogens

are behavior, environment, or bodily
conditions that could be harmful
•Tobacco, alcohol, prescription medications, other drugs
•Males more vulnerable
• Exposure during embryonic period especially critical

Malnutrition

• Most common worldwide teratogen
• Eating healthy diets is recommended but not likely in developing countries
• Living in rural areas also impacts prenatal health
• Need folic acid, iodine and iron

Infectious Diseases

Exposure more prevalent in developing countries
• Rubella (German measles)
• Exposure during embryonic stage can lead to heart
abnormalities and intellectual disability
• Exposure during the fetal stage can lead to hearing
problems and low birth weight
• AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
• Transmitted during prenatal development, birth or breast
milk

Alcohol

Widespread damage in developed
countries
• Only safe amount is none at all
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Includes facial deformities, heart problems,
misshapen limbs, and a variety of cognitive
problems
• Increased effects as child develops

Tobacco

• Maternal smoking increases risk of
miscarriages, premature birth, and low birth
weight
• Infant effects include difficulty breathing and
impaired heart functioning
• Later childhood effects
• Secondhand smoke by fathers is also
detrimental