““TERATOGEN”TERATOGEN”

• Word root:Word root:– ““terato-” = monsterterato-” = monster– “ “-gen” = to make-gen” = to make

““substances that are toxic to some part of a developing substances that are toxic to some part of a developing embryo or fetus”embryo or fetus”

TeratogensTeratogens Common things that Common things that can harm fetal can harm fetal development.development.

Nicotine and CocaineNicotine and Cocaine

• Both nicotine and Both nicotine and cocaine are known to cocaine are known to be addictive.be addictive.

• Developing fetuses Developing fetuses become addicted too.become addicted too.

• Both drugs constrict Both drugs constrict blood vessels.blood vessels.

• This decreases oxygen This decreases oxygen delivery to the fetus.delivery to the fetus.

Results of Nicotine and Cocaine Results of Nicotine and Cocaine UseUse

• Low birthweight babies, Low birthweight babies, because they didn’t get because they didn’t get enough oxygen to grow.enough oxygen to grow.

• Newborns going through Newborns going through withdrawal from drugs.withdrawal from drugs.

• Most cannot adjust their own Most cannot adjust their own body temperatures.body temperatures.

Nicotine and other drugs can also Nicotine and other drugs can also cause “Neural tube defects”cause “Neural tube defects”

• A neural tube defect is A neural tube defect is a problem with the a problem with the formation of the brain formation of the brain and/or spinal cord.and/or spinal cord.

• The most common The most common neural tube defects are neural tube defects are spina bifida and spina bifida and myelomeningocoel.myelomeningocoel.

www.obgyn.net/us/us.asp?page=gallery/ gallery

AlcoholAlcohol

• Alcohol is an addictive Alcohol is an addictive and LEGAL drug.and LEGAL drug.

• Beer, wine and liquor Beer, wine and liquor all affect the fetus the all affect the fetus the same.same.

• Just as alcohol damages Just as alcohol damages adult brains, it also adult brains, it also damages fetal brains.damages fetal brains. Both brains are from 6 week old new borns.

www.mofas.org/guidelines/ character.htm

Results of Alcohol UseResults of Alcohol Use• The development of The development of

facial features is facial features is changed.changed.

• The majority of The majority of damage with alcohol is damage with alcohol is due to consumption due to consumption during the second during the second trimester.trimester.

• Physical and Physical and behavioral deficits can behavioral deficits can result.result.

www.mofas.org/guidelines/ character.htm

Alcohol Effects on Executive Alcohol Effects on Executive FunctionsFunctions

Function in brain Effects on behavior

inhibition socially inappropriate behavior, as if inebriated

planning inability to apply consequences from past actions

time perception difficulty with abstract concepts (time and money)

internal ordering like files out of order, difficulty processing information

working memory problems storing and retrieving information

self-monitoring needs frequent cues, requires “policing” by others

verbal self-regulation needs to talk to self out loud, needs feedback

motor control fine motor skills affected

regulation of emotion moody “roller coaster” emotions, exaggerated

motivation apparent lack of remorse, needs external motivators

Prescription drugs can also be Prescription drugs can also be harmful.harmful.

• Even prescriptions that Even prescriptions that you took before you took before pregnancy should be pregnancy should be carefully considered.carefully considered.

• Anti-epileptic drugs, Anti-epileptic drugs, acne treatments, acne treatments, sedatives and sedatives and antibiotics can damage antibiotics can damage developing fetuses.developing fetuses.

AnticonvulsivesAnticonvulsives

• Common prescriptions Common prescriptions for controlling epilepsy for controlling epilepsy can have bad effects.can have bad effects.

• Dilantin, Valproic acid Dilantin, Valproic acid and Trimethadione can and Trimethadione can all cause defects.all cause defects.

• Always discuss Always discuss medications with your medications with your prenatal physician.prenatal physician.

Diethylstilbestros (DES)Diethylstilbestros (DES)

• This drug was given to This drug was given to treat menstrual cramps treat menstrual cramps and prevent and prevent miscarriages.miscarriages.

• It was found to have It was found to have toxic effects on the sex toxic effects on the sex organs of the babies.organs of the babies.

• It affects both male It affects both male and female babies.and female babies.

ThalidomideThalidomide

• This used to be given to This used to be given to prevent morning prevent morning sickness.sickness.

• Many children whose Many children whose moms took thalidomide moms took thalidomide were horribly deformed.were horribly deformed.

• This drug is no longer This drug is no longer given to pregnant given to pregnant women.women.

Thalidomide affected the Thalidomide affected the development of arms and legs.development of arms and legs.

Recreational drugs, prescription Recreational drugs, prescription drugs and pollution.drugs and pollution.

• All of these things need to All of these things need to be considered when be considered when planning pregnancy AND planning pregnancy AND during the pregnancy.during the pregnancy.

• Many doctors recommend Many doctors recommend altering your lifestyle as altering your lifestyle as soon as you begin soon as you begin thinking about pregnancy.thinking about pregnancy.

• GOOD IDEASGOOD IDEAS– quit recreational drug quit recreational drug

useuse

– eat bettereat better

– get in shapeget in shape

– monitor your home monitor your home and work environmentand work environment

– RELAXRELAX

Even after all this nasty stuff...Even after all this nasty stuff...• Most pregnancies deliver normal infants.Most pregnancies deliver normal infants.