Teratogens

A teratogen is any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive and
behavioral outcomes. (The word comes from the Greek word tera, meaning “monster.”)

So many teratogens exist that practically every fetus is exposed to at least some teratogens. For this
reason, it is difficult to determine which teratogen causes which problem. In addition, it may take a
long time for the effects of a teratogen to show up.

Teratology
The field of study that investigates the causes of birth defects is called teratology.

Factors
The following factors to a particular teratogen influence both the severity of the damage to an
embryo or fetus and the type of defect:

1. Dose
2. Genetic susceptibility
3. Time of exposure

Prescription and non-prescription drugs

 Prescription drugs that can function as teratogens include antibiotics, such as

streptomycin and tetracycline; some antidepressants; certain hormones, such as
progestin and synthetic estrogen; and Accutane.
 Non-prescription drugs that can be harmful include diet pills and high dosages of
aspirin

Psychoactive drugs

1. Caffeine
2. Alcohol
3. Nicotine
Environmental hazards

 Many aspects of our modern industrial world can endanger the embryo or fetus.
Some specifi c hazards to the embryo or fetus include radiation, toxic wastes, and
other chemical pollutants (O’Connor & Roy, 2008). X-ray radiation can affect the
developing embryo or fetus, especially in the fi rst several weeks after conception,
when women do not yet know they are pregnant.
 Environmental pollutants and toxic wastes are also sources of danger to unborn
children. Among the dangerous pollutants are carbon monoxide, mercury, and lead,
as well as certain fertilizers and pesticides.

Maternal diseases

 Maternal diseases and infections can produce defects in offspring by crossing the
placental barrier, or they can cause damage during birth. Rubella (German measles)
is one disease that can cause prenatal defects.
 Syphilis (a sexually transmitted infection) is more damaging later in prenatal
development.
 Another infection that has received widespread attention is genital herpes.
Newborns contract this virus when they are delivered through the birth canal of a
mother with genital herpes.
 AIDS is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the human immune defi
ciency virus (HIV), which destroys the body’s immune system. A mother can infect
her offspring with HIV/AIDS

Other parental factors

1. Maternal diet and nutrition

2. Maternal age
3. Family support
4. Emotional states and stress