Teratogens

Teratogens

• Any agent that causes a structural abnormality due to exposure during pregnancy

Cigarettes

• Carbon monoxide and nicotine in tobacco both reach the baby very easily through the placenta

• both of these reduce the amount of oxygen available in the mother’s blood

Alcohol

• Fetal alcohol syndrome is a clinical pattern of physical and mental defects

• alcohol can cross the placental barrier

Prescription Drugs -

• Thalidomide

  • drug used to treat ‘morning sickness’

  • blocked the growth of all limbs

• Anticonvulsants

  • drugs used to treat seizers

  • can produce brain, limb and heart defects as well as death

• Anti-thyroids

  • drugs used to reduce thyroid effects

  • complete destruction of fetal thyroid

• Vitamin A

  • 10mg or more daily can produce nervous system, heart, and facial defects

Radiation

• Fetal exposure to radiation in adults may induce growth impairments, malignancy and chromosome fragmentation

Marijuana

• THC is the active ingredient in marijuana and does cross the placenta

• stored in amniotic fluid that the baby lives in prior to birth

• possibly associated with premature labour and small babies

Environmental Toxins

• Fat soluble toxins accumulate and effect development over entire trimester

• lead and mercury are toxic but are eliminated, these can be passed on through breast milk

• causes neuronal impairments, physical impairments and death