A teratogen is any substance ingested or inhaled by the mother than can negatively impact the fetus. When a woman is pregnant, the fetus grows inside of her uterus, and they have a shared bloodline. Essentially this means, that whatever the mother ingests or inhales, so does the fetus. There are certain developmental consequences that can occur after use of a teratogen, which can lead to lifelong disabilities both physically and mentally. It’s important that mothers understand the impact of their choices because of how severe they can be. Here is information on what teratogens are, and how they can impact fetuses who are exposed.

What are teratogens?

Teratogens are drugs, chemicals, or infections that can cause abnormal fetal development. There are numerous types of potential teratogens, but there are only a few agents that have proven to have devastating teratogenic consequences. These consequences can be so severe, that it results in a baby being born with a birth defect, which is the case for 4-5% of birth defects. Researchers believe that fetuses can be impacted as soon as 10-14 days after conception. This can be problematic for women who do not know they are pregnant for a long time, which is the majority of cases. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, or are at a high potential for becoming pregnant, it’s important to reduce your exposure to these harmful agents. The best way to reduce the risk of exposure is to avoid taking medications and avoid exposure to common teratogens.

What are common teratogens?

Excessive heat is a common teratogen. Bodies of water like whirlpools, steam rooms or saunas are not recommended places for pregnant women. Even jobs that have high exposure to heat (i.e. no air conditioning or outside conditions) can be dangerous places for expecting mothers. This is due to the fact that women could suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke or dehydration. Neither of these states is good for women or the baby. Because women are pregnant, it takes more energy for the body to cool down the body and the fetus. Excessive heat exposure to the fetus from the inability to cool the body down can result in birth defects and developmental delays.

Herbal treatments is another teratogen that can be detrimental to the fetus. Products that claim to be natural or come in the form of a supplement may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

Ionizing radiation exposure is another teratogen that is dangerous for the baby. If you are ever in a situation where a physician orders a test that includes ionizing radiation, that is because they believe the risk of exposure is lower than the risk of an undiagnosed or progressive condition. Most of the time, physicians will use a protective apron to prevent exposure, but ionization from diagnostic tests like X-rays, or even exposure from contaminated soil can cause birth defects and mutations that result in physical disabilities.

Sick children can be especially dangerous to women, especially because some children are not old enough for vaccinations against very serious diseases. If they are ever exposed to some dangerous diseases like chickenpox, rubella, hepatitis, etc., then they could potentially infect the unborn fetus.

Any of these diseases are what are considered TORCH infections, or what may now be referred to as SCORCH infections. This is an acronym for diseases that are very dangerous for mothers as they could cause significant impairment and disease in fetuses. These include toxoplasmosis, other (syphilis, varicella zoster, parvovirus), rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes infections (SCORCH has been used to draw attention to the increasing rise in neonatal syphilis). If anyone is sick around you, it’s better wear a mask and keep you distance, making sure to practice excellent hand hygiene at all times.

Toxoplasmosis is another TORCH infection that can be transmitted from cat feces to humans. This Is why mothers are encouraged to get someone else to change their litter box, if they have a cat, and to keep a safe distance from cats. Toxoplasmosis can rest under the nails of cats, and can be transmitted through scratches as well. Toxoplasmosis can cross the placental barrier and cause many birth defects including miscarriage, stillbirth, or damage to the brain and other organs, especially the eyes.

There is also a laundry list of medications and other substances to avoid due to their teratogenic effect like ACE inhibitors, alcohol, cocaine, warfarin, lead, mercury, tobacco, tetracycline, and trimethadione, to name a few. For a more complete list, you can click here.

How do these teratogens impact fetuses?

Teratogens can begin impacting fetuses immediately. After intercourse, sperm fertilizes an egg and it takes about 6-9 days for the egg to implant into the uterus. After fertilization and anchoring, the mother and the fetus share blood supply, and chemicals in the other’s blood can affect the growing baby. From this point forward, it takes about 3-5 weeks for the neural tube to close. This forms the beginning of the spinal cord and eventually the brain, so exposure to teratogens at that point in time could lead to structural damage to the spinal cord like spina bifida.

Throughout the first trimester, or the first 3 months, teratogenic exposure could lead to a miscarriage, or major structural defects like gastroschisis, single outflow tract or phocomelia. After the first trimester, all the way until the third trimester, repeated exposure to teratogens can cause abnormal organ differentiation, growth, and function due to the fact that this is when those tissues begin to develop.

If a child is exposed to teratogens and is born with birth defects that require assistance, Diverse Health Services offers care and assistance to children with disabilities that impact their day-to-day function. Our employees can help with transportation, feeding, and general care of these patients. If you or someone you know is having difficulty or needs support caring for a child with major disabilities, please review our services and give us a call so we can set something up.

[Source:]

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/teratogens

https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=teratogens-overview-90-P09519

https://birthdefectsresearch.org/primer/Teratogenic-Exposure.asp

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/toxoplasmosis.html#:~:text=The%20long%2Dterm%20or%20chronic,brain%2C%20eyes%20and%20other%20organs.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150751/#:~:text=TORCH%2C%20which%20includes%20Toxoplasmosis%2C%20Other,infections%20associated%20with%20congenital%20anomalies.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ionizing-radiation-health-effects-and-protective-measures