Teratogens
Child Psych II
What is a Teratogen?

Definition:

A teratogen is an environmental agent
that can adversely affect the unborn child,
thus producing a birth defect
Timing

The effect of
teratogens
depends upon the
timing of exposure.

The fetal brain
develops throughout
pregnancy and can be
affected at any time.

The first trimester
of pregnancy is the
critical period of
organ and limb
development in the
fetus.

Exposure to a
teratogen during the
two weeks following
conception is unlikely
to cause birth defects.
Photo Courtesy of: http://www.csulb.edu/~kmacd/361-6-Ch1.htm
Congenital Infections

HIV

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Rubella


A.K.A. German Measles, may result in the baby being born
blind, deaf, mentally disabled, have heart defects
Syphilis



The biggest risk to the fetus is for transmission of the virus to
fetus
Treatment during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk to the
baby.
STD, ½ of infected pregnancies will spontaneously abort
Baby may be born premature, have enlarged liver or spleen,
deaf, blind, MR, skin rash, jaundice
Toxoplasmosis


Common infection caused by microscopic worms
Can cause developmental disabilities, deafness, blindness
Physical Agents

X-Rays


Possible effects on the newborn include: slow
growth, developmental disabilities, sterility,
possible cancers later in life
Hyperthermia


Refers to an abnormally high body temperature
(fever, prolonged exposure to extreme heat
source, heavy exercising)
Baby is more likely to form neural tube defects,
including spina bifida (incompletely formed
spinal cord, may result in paralysis)
Maternal Health Factors

Maternal Diabetes




Delivery complications due to large baby
Stillbirth
Spontaneous abortion
Maternal PKU


Increased risk for mental retardation
Low birth weight, other birth defects
Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Alcohol





Leading known preventable cause of MR
and birth defects
Low birth weight
Heart, joint, & eye defects
Still birth
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Cigarette Smoke


Nicotine
Fetal Distress





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Abnormal heart rate
Low birth weight
Stillbirth
Sponataneous abortion
Death during first few weeks
Lasting effects

Smaller size, poor reading skills, poor school adjustment
Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications

Cocaine

Baby will be born addicted to cocaine




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When no longer being given drugs, baby will go
through stress, high-pitched crying, shaking, poor
feeding, fever
Low birth-weight or premature birth
Grow slowly, malformed internal organs
Behavior worsens as they get older
Mothers addicted to crack usually have poor
health and nutrition
Chemicals, Drugs, & Medications


Always discuss any medications with
doctor prior to taking them
Aspirin

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Prolonged labor
Bleeding in mother and baby