A teratogen is any agent that causes an abnormality following fetal exposure during pregnancy. Teratogens are usually discovered after an increased prevalence of a particular birth defect. For example, in the early 1960’s, a drug known as thalidomide was used to treat morning sickness. Exposure of the fetus during this early stage of development resulted in cases of phocomelia, a congenital malformation in which the hands and feet are attached to abbreviated arms and legs. Teratogens can also be found at home or the workplace. The effect is related to type of agent, dose and duration, and time of exposure. The first half of pregnancy is the most vulnerable.

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, herbicides and industrial solvents); and drugs (prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational). In general, if medication is required, the lowest dose possible should be used and combination drug therapies and first trimester exposures should be avoided, if possible.

The types or severity of abnormalities caused by a teratogenic agent is also dependent on the genetic susceptibilities carried by the mother and fetus. For example, variation in maternal metabolism of a particular drug will determine what metabolites the fetus is exposed to and the duration of exposure. The genetic susceptibility of the fetus to a particular teratogenic agent will also have an effect on the final outcome.

Two of the leading preventable causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities are alcohol and smoking. Alcohol use in pregnancy has significant effects on the fetus and the baby. Alcohol can pass from the mother’s blood stream through the placenta to the fetus. Since alcohol is broken down more slowly in a fetus than in an adult, alcohol levels tend to remain high and stay in the baby’s body longer. Birth defects associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol can occur in the first 3 to 8 weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows that she is pregnant.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy. It is the most common known non-genetic (non-inherited) cause of mental retardation in the U.S. Several educational materials in English and Spanish are available from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/faspub.htm.

In 2001, the estimated prevalence of smoking during pregnancy for all U.S. women was 11.4 percent, ranging from 3.9 percent in DC to 26.2 percent in West Virginia. Smoking nearly doubles a woman’s risk of having a low birth-weight baby as a result of poor growth before birth, preterm delivery or a combination of both. Premature and low birth-weight babies face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic lifelong disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, mental retardation) and possibly death. More recent studies have suggested a possible link between prenatal smoking exposure and behavioral problems in later childhood and adolescence.

In addition, almost 3 percent of pregnant women use illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy and other amphetamines, and heroin. These drugs can cause low birth-weight, withdrawal symptoms, birth defects, or learning or behavioral problems.

More information about specific teratogens can be found the following web-sites:

• Organization of Teratogen Information Services http://otispregnancy.org/otis_about_us.asp
• Reprotox–an online Information System on Environmental Hazards to Human Reproduction and Development http://reprotox.org/
• Teratogen Information System (TERIS –online version Shepard’s Catalog of Teratogenic Agents) http://depts.washington.edu/~terisweb/teris/
• March of Dimes http://www.marchofdimes.com