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What are teratogens?

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Teratogens

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are any agent that disrupts a baby's development when

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a person is exposed to it during pregnancy.

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Known teratogens include alcohol, smoking, toxic chemicals, radiation viruses,

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some maternal health conditions and certain prescription drugs.

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Some teratogen

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are more concerning than others.

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How harmful a

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teratogen is

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depends on several factors, including the type, amount, duration,

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and time of exposure as well as genetic influences.

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Type.

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Some teratogen,

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including alcohol and smoking, have a more

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harmful impact on a developing fetus than others.

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Amount.

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The amount of harm to a fetus increases the

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more the pregnant person consumes or is exposed to a

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teratogen.

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Duration of exposure.

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The longer a fetus is exposed to a

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teratogen, the more dangerous the effects.

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Time of exposure.

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Teratogens

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are most harmful early in pregnancy, starting about 10 to

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14 days after conception to about eight weeks into pregnancy.

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Genetics.

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Sometimes the pregnant person's or the baby's unique genetics protect

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them or make them more vulnerable to certain teratogens.

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Why they are important.

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All parents should know what teratogen

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are and how to avoid them since they can cause harm throughout pregnancy

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starting around the time of conception.

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For instance,

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the risk of miscarriage is higher when you smoke or

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drink alcohol or exposed to radiation in certain toxic chemicals.

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These and other teratogens

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are also linked to premature birth.

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Additionally, 4% to 5% of birth defects are caused by teratogen.

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These include physical malformations like spina

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bifida, cleft

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palate or microcephaly, when the brain and skull are

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underdeveloped as well as vision and hearing problems.

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Teratogens

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can also affect cognitive development.

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Babies born to a parent who drinks alcohol or has certain health

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conditions like thyroid disorders have been shown to have lower IQ scores.