teratogenic
Causes fetal abnormalities
Teratogenic describes substances or factors that cause malformations in developing embryos or fetuses.
The term appears in medical and regulatory contexts: Thalidomide proved devastatingly teratogenic.
Alcohol, certain medications, and radiation exposure are known teratogenic agents.
The noun is teratogen.
Abnormalities present from delivery
- malformationsAbnormal anatomical structures
- anomaliesDepartures from expected patterns
- spina bifidaVertebral column fails to close
- cleft palateCongenital oral roof opening
microcephaly · polydactyly · neural tube defects · tetralogy of Fallot · anencephaly · clubfoot · atresia
Sedative causing fetal deformities
- valproateAnticonvulsant mood-stabilizing compound
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- methotrexateAntifolate chemotherapy agent
- warfarinClot-preventing medication
phenytoin · tetracycline · lithium · diethylstilbestrol · mercury · lead · rubella · cytomegalovirus
Formation of early life
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
- fetal developmentUnborn offspring's growth process
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
- prenatalBefore birth
morphogenesis · first trimester · critical period · apoptosis · differentiation · implantation · gastrulation
Causes cancer
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutagenesisInducing stable genetic changes
- cytogeneticOf chromosome analysis
Study of developmental defects
- animal modelsSpecies used in research
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
- prenatal screeningMedical tests before birth
- risk assessmentEvaluating likelihood of harm
birth defects
Abnormalities present from delivery
- malformationsAbnormal anatomical structures
- anomaliesDepartures from expected patterns
- spina bifidaVertebral column fails to close
cleft palate · microcephaly · polydactyly · neural tube defects · tetralogy of Fallot · anencephaly · clubfoot · atresia
thalidomide
Sedative causing fetal deformities
- valproateAnticonvulsant mood-stabilizing compound
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- methotrexateAntifolate chemotherapy agent
warfarin · phenytoin · tetracycline · lithium · diethylstilbestrol · mercury · lead · rubella · cytomegalovirus · radiation
embryogenesis
Formation of early life
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
- fetal developmentUnborn offspring's growth process
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
prenatal · morphogenesis · first trimester · critical period · apoptosis · differentiation · implantation · gastrulation
carcinogenic
Causes cancer
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutagenesisInducing stable genetic changes
- cytogeneticOf chromosome analysis
teratology
Study of developmental defects
- animal modelsSpecies used in research
- dose-responseRelationship between amount and effect
- prenatal screeningMedical tests before birth