TERATOGENS

Teratogens

Teratogens

A teratogen is any agent capable of producing a congenital anomaly. It increases the incidence of an abnormality in the embryo after exposure of the mother to them. Anomalies, malformations or birth defects are structural abnormalities of behavior, functional and metabolic diseases that are at the time of birth. There are 4 types of clinically significant abnormalities: malformation, disruption, dysplasia, and deformation.

A teratogen can be classified into chemical, hormonal, infectious, physical aspects. Within the first, we have some sedatives or tranquilizers such as thalidomide (Form S), antineoplastic agents (aminopterin), some anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, lithium, drugs, isotretinoin, industrial solvents, ...