What are the effects of teratogens on prenatal development?
During this time, teratogens can cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Some organs are sensitive to teratogens during the whole pregnancy. This includes the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Alcohol affects the brain and spinal cord, so it can cause harm at any time during pregnancy.
What are teratogens and how might they affect normal prenatal development?
Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or even infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. There are billions of potential teratogens, but only a few agents are proven to have teratogenic effects. These effects can result in a baby being born with a birth defect.
What are teratogens at what stage of pregnancy?
During the development of a baby, there are certain organs forming at certain times. If a teratogen has the potential to interfere with the closure of the neural tube, for example, the exposure to the teratogen must occur in the first 3.5 to 4.5 weeks of the pregnancy, since this is when the neural tube is closing.
When do teratogens have their greatest effects?
The embryonic period, during which organogenesis takes place, occurs between implantation at around 14 days to around 60 days postconception. This is usually the most sensitive period to teratogenesis when exposure to a teratogenic agent has the greatest likelihood of producing a malformation.
What are the factors affecting prenatal development?
Five factors that might affect prenatal development are the mother’s diet, the mothers age, prenatal support, the mother’s health, and drug or alcohol use. Each of these points can affect pregnancy and how the fetus develops.
Which stage of prenatal development is most vulnerable to teratogens?
In which trimester of pregnancy is the fetus the most vulnerable to teratogens?
About 4% to 5% of birth defects are caused by exposure to a teratogen. 14 The risk of teratogens to a developing fetus is often early in the pregnancy—usually the first trimester and often before implantation. Of course, the impact also depends on the level of exposure.
What stage of pregnancy is at most risk for teratogenic effects?
Treatment of common illnesses in early pregnancy is complicated because of the risk of teratogenic effects of drugs on the fetus. The period of greatest risk is between the first and eighth week of pregnancy.
What trimester is most vulnerable to teratogens?
Harmful exposures during the first trimester have the greatest chance of causing major birth defects. This is because many important developmental changes take place during this time. The major structures of the body form in the first trimester.
What are the different types of teratogens?
Teratogens are classified into four types: physical agents, metabolic conditions, infection, and finally, drugs and chemicals.
What are some teratogens that affect the fetus?
Drugs. Many pregnant people take prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
When are teratogens most harmful?
Teratogens are substances that could harm a developing fetus by affecting growth and causing birth defects or death. The use of tobacco during pregnancy is dangerous because the smoke causes the blood vessels to constrict.
When do teratogens affect fetus?
The risk of teratogens to a developing fetus is often early in the pregnancy—usually the first trimester and often before implantation. Of course, the impact also depends on the level of exposure. If a teratogen has the ability to affect the development of the neural tube, the exposure would need to occur before the time the neural tube closes, which is around three to four weeks.
Which factors are considered teratogens?
Alcohol. Wine,beer,and all other types of alcohol can harm a baby during pregnancy.