Abstract
The intent of this paper is to canvass some of the various teratogens that often affect the fetus. The paper also seeks to describe some of the common effects of teratogens. It is noteworthy that an appreciable amount of effort has been put in place to unravel the variant types of teratogens. Until present a superfluity of teratogens have been discovered with more being discovered every passing day. Teratogens affect an unborn child in the prenatal development stage in a varied number of ways. Though some of the effects are illustrious at birth, most of the teratogenic complications only become eminent later in life.
Teratogens
Teratogen can be defined as environmental factors, which affect the unborn child during the prenatal development. There are several ways through which the unborn child can be affected by the environment. Research shows that a big percentage of birth defects as well as a plethora of problems that people experience later in life are imputable to the effects of the environment on unborn children during prenatal development (Porth, 2011).
Types of Teratogens
Drugs
This is perhaps the foremost group of teratogens that affect the foetus. Drugs that are viewed as teratogens include, alcohol, thalidomide, warfarin, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, vitamin A and OTC drugs. (Porth, 2011).
Chemicals
In tandem to this, numerous chemicals have been identified to develop detrimental toxics to the foetus, and they include; hormones, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and some few types of vitamins (Porth, 2011).
Infections
Empirical findings point to the fact that infectious agents also grace the long list of teratogens. It is noted that a pregnant mother is overly prone to certain infectious disease, and teratogenic diseases that commonly affect fetus include; Rubella, Herpes Simplex and Hepatitis B (Porth, 2011).
Mother’s Condition
The medical condition of the mother is also a potential teratogen with a potential to affect the developing fetus. Maternal diseases that can affect an unborn child in the prenatal development stage include; ostensibly, phenylketonuria, hypothyroidism, obesity, epilepsy and hypoxia (Chung, n.d).
Physical agents
Just like chemicals, infections and maternal medical conditions, there are a number of physical agents that can affect a fetus. These include; radiations (for instance X rays), oligohydramnios, Malformations of the uterus and Amniotic bands (Chung, n.d).
Effects of Teratogens
The effects of teratogen differ depending on a plethora of facets, and some of the effects may encompass; Macrosomia, an abnormal pregnancy with a significant overgrowth of the baby, and it is caused by diabetes (Padubidri&Anand, 2006). Besides, foetal deformation is also a vital effect of the teratogens. Kail and Cavanaug (2012) affirm that during the period of the embryo, exposure to the teratogens produces major defects in the body structure. Also, women who contract rubella during embryo period or later in the pregnancy, exposes the foetus to organ damage resulting to hearing loss, cardiovascular impairment, mental retardation, and eye abnormalities (Kail&Cavanaug, 2012). Death of the embryo is majorly caused by toxic-chemical and biological- exposure at the pre-implantation stage and it often goes unnoticed or perceived as heavy, albeit delayed, menstrual bleeding (Yaffe&Aranda, 2011).
Further, foetal alcohol syndrome is also a great effect of teratogens, and it is characterized by patterns of malformations (Yaffe&Aranda, 2011). The full blown syndrome is usually evinced in children with mental retardation, depicted through facial features, such as an underdeveloped upper jaw, a flattened nose and widely spaced eyes (Yaffe&Aranda, 2011).
References
Bottom of Form
Chung, W. (N.d).Teratogens and Their Effects.Columbia University. Retrieved from http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/humandev/2004/Chpt23-Teratogens.pdf
Kail, V. R. &Cavanaug, C. J. (2012).Human Development: A Life-Span View (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Padubidri, V. &Anand, E. (2006).Textbook of Obstetrics.New Delhi: BI Publications Pvt Ltd.
Porth, C. M. (2011).Essentials of Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States (3rded.). Ambler, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health
Yaffe, J. S. &Aranda, V. J. (2011).Neonatal and Pediatric Pharmacology: Therapeutic Principles in Practice (4th Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
