1. TERATOGEN Objectives You will be able to…
Analyze environmental factors that affect fetal development
Determine ways to prevent some birth defects
Create an informational advertisement to new parents about common teratogens.

3. Teratogen: Anything that increases the risk of prenatal abnormalities
Behavioral Teratogen:
causes no physical defect, but affects the brain,
making the child hyperactive, antisocial, or
learning-disabled.

4. Types of Teratogens Prescription Drugs Pollutants Social/Illegal Drugs
Disease/Viruses
Radiation/Chemical Warfare
Malnutrition
Stress

5. Determining the extent of damage to the fetus depends on…….
1. Critical Time of Exposure
If exposure occurs during the embryonic period:
will result in major impairments and malformations
Exposure during the fetal period:
results in growth impairments of the brain, eyes and genitals

6. 2. Duration of Exposure The length of time the mother is exposed to the teratogen greatly influences the effects on the fetus. Example: The mother visits a friend’s house where people smoke inside. She only stays over for a few hours. The mother lives in a house where people smoke inside. She is exposed everyday.

7. 3. Genetic Susceptibility-
Genes influence the effects of a teratogen:
Example:
The way the mother metabolizes a certain drug will determine
how much the fetus will be exposed to it.

8. THINK, WRITE, PAIR, SHARE
Think of some examples of TIME (how many weeks
gestation) and DURATION (how long was the
mother exposed to the toxins)
What kinds of toxins could someone be exposed to over a long period of time (When)? How long? Which areas of the body would be affected? Why?
What kinds of toxins might need only a little bit of time to cause damage? How long? Which areas? Why?

9. LEFT HAND SIDE OF NOTEBOOK 1 What? When ? 2 3 Which area? How long? 45
Why?

10. Teratogen Chart

11. Thalidomide (prescription drug)
Was a prescription drug sold mainly during the late 1950’s early 1960’s, used to alleviate morning sickness.
Critical period for exposure is during organogenesis
Specificity of malformations is linked to time of exposure:
35-37 days- no ears
39-41 days- no arms
41-43 days- no uterus
45-47 days- no tibia
47-49 days triphalangeal thumbs

12. Industrial Chemicals
Cleansers, varnishes, lacquers, resins, leads, pesticides, herbicides (agent orange) and mercury (Minimata Disease)

13. Illegal Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Low birth weight
Born addicted to drugs
Withdrawal symptoms
Fetal Alcohol syndrome
Behavioral problems/impulse control

14. Radiation/Chemical Warfare

15. Maternal Disease Rubella Herpes simplex, AIDS Chickenpox
If the mother has these diseases-
can cause serious
malformations, mental
retardation and miscarriage or
Infant mortality.

16. Other Maternal Influences
Malnutrition (lack of necessary vitamins, minerals and proteins)
FOLIC ACID- Is a B-vitamin that helps create new cells.
Spina Bifida
Stress/Anxiety
Altered Metabolism (Diabetes mellitus)

17. ACTIVITY Go to www.otispregnancy.org
Click on “FACTSHEETS” in the right toolbar
Choose 1 factsheet to research
Make an informative flyer including:
Definition- 5pts
Common reason a woman would be exposed to this potential teratogen- 5pts
In your own words: Can this potential teratogen cause birth defects?- 5pts
Conclusion: What would you suggest if someone asked you if exposure to this potential teratogen was ok? – 5pts
20 POINTS TOTAL!

18. References http://www.whale.to/a/gulf32.html
(awesome website!!)
Slater, A. & Lewis, M. (2007). Introduction to infant development. New York: Oxford University Press.