Teratogen Exposure
Aka: Teratogen Exposure, Teratogen, Occupational Exposures in Pregnancy, Herbal Teratogen
II. Pathophysiology
- Teratogens cause birth defects, Stillbirths, IUGR
III. Risk Factors: General Teratogen Susceptibility
- Week 0-2: Pre-organogenesis
- Not Sensitive to malformation
- Significant exposure is lethal
- Week 3-8: Embryonic Period
- Greatest sensitivity to environmental exposures
- Fetal mass increases 2.5 Million fold first trimester
- Major malformations occur
- Week 9-38: Fetal Period
- Decreasing sensitivity
- Functional defects and minor malformations occur
IV. Causes: Occupational Exposures
- General
- Household products also present Teratogen Exposure risk (Heavy metals, solvents, Pesticides)
- High risk industries for Teratogen Exposure include laboratory work, dry cleaning, printing, manufacturing and agriculture
- Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury)
- Solvents (Trichloroethylene, Chloroform, Benzene)
- Plastics (Vinyl chloride)
- Pollutants (Polychlorinated or Polybrominated Biphenyl)
- Pesticides (Organophosphates)
- Gases (Carbon Monoxide, Inhalation Anesthetics)
- Radiation (e.g. XRay)
V. Causes: Home Exposures
- See Medications in Pregnancy
- See Substance Abuse in Pregnancy
- Foods
- See Nutrition in Pregnancy
- See Mercury Content in Fish
- Avoid excessive large fish intake (e.g. shark, swordfish, tilefish or king mackerel) due to mercurcy contamination
- Vitamins
- Herbals associated with Miscarriage
- Devil’s claw root
- Barberry
- Dong Quai
- High concentrations of Ruta, Hydrastis or Oregano
- Other Herbal Teratogens
- See Herbal Remedy
- Exercise caution regarding overall risks of herbal contamination and lack of standardization
- Ginkgo
- Ephedra
- Ginseng
- See Herbal Remedy
- Other home exposures
- Avoid hot tubs and saunas in first trimester
- Associated with Neural Tube Defects and Miscarriages
- Avoid hair dyes and treatments in first trimester
- Unknown effects
- Avoid hot tubs and saunas in first trimester
VI. Resources
- CDC Medications in Pregnancy
- Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System (VAMPSS)
- MotherToBaby Fact Sheets (from Organization of Teratology Information Specialists or OTIS)