What are 5 types of teratogens?

What are 5 types of teratogens?

Teratogenic agents include infectious agents (rubella, cytomegalovirus, varicella, herpes simplex, toxoplasma, syphilis, etc.); physical agents (ionizing agents, hyperthermia); maternal health factors (diabetes, maternal PKU); environmental chemicals (organic mercury compounds, polychlorinated biphenyl or PCB.

What are the 4 categories of teratogens?

Teratogens are classified into four types: physical agents, metabolic conditions, infection, and finally, drugs and chemicals.

What is the most common type of teratogen?

Alcohol: One of the most commonly used teratogens is alcohol, and because half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it is recommended that women of child-bearing age take great caution against drinking alcohol when not using birth control or when pregnant (CDC, 2005).

Is cigarette smoke a teratogen?

Because the teratogenic agent in cigarette smoke remains controversial, the present study on rat embryos in culture examined specifically whether nicotine can cause neural dysmorphology and, hence, act as a nervous system teratogen.

Is Thalidomide a teratogen?

Thalidomide is a potent teratogen that induces a range of birth defects, most commonly of the developing limbs.

When are teratogens most harmful?

Time of exposure: Teratogens are most harmful early in pregnancy, starting about 10 to 14 days after conception to about 8 weeks into pregnancy. Genetics: Sometimes, the pregnant person’s or the baby’s unique genetics protect them or make them more vulnerable to certain teratogens.

Is a virus a teratogen?

Many viruses can be transmitted to the fetus and cause infection and tissure damage. Five viruses are known to be teratogenic in humans: cytomegalovirus, rubella, herpes simplex, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and varicella viruses.

Is German measles a teratogen?

Rubella was one of the first viruses classified as a teratogen, a classification that introduced the possibility that environmental agents such as viruses could cause birth defects during embryological and fetal development.

Why is alcohol a teratogen?

Both alcohol and its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde, are teratogenic. Exposure during pregnancy may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and this is said to occur in a substantial proportion of infants born to mothers who are chronic, heavy daily drinkers.

Is folic acid a teratogen?

Folate deficiency has a well-established teratogenic effect, leading to an increasing risk of neural tube defects. This paper highlights the most recent medical literature about folate deficiency, be it maternal or paternal.