Teratogens and Pregnancy

Paper Summary:

Scientific discussion of external factors that might affect pregnancy and foster congenital birth defects in newborns. Prenatal development. Effect of pharmaceuticals, legal chemical substances, alcohol, narcotics & tobacco use by women on pregnancy. Effect of absence of essential nutrients such as Zinc. Cites several other causes of congenital birth defects. Variables. Problem of serious diseases of pregnant women & necessary drugs.

From the Paper:

"This research examines the phenomenon of teratogens, or factors external to the physical experience of pregnancy, during the period of gestation, which may affect pregnancy outcomes by fostering congenital birth defects in newborns. The research will set forth the clinical context in which teratogenic agents achieve relevance for the course of pregnancy in the modern period, and then discuss the impact that concern about teratogens may have on efficient and prudent pregnancy management.


On the face of things, the generally accepted definition of a teratogen would appear to be straightforwardly informative. Mosby's initially defines a teratogen as "any substance, agent, or process that interferes with normal prenatal development, causing the formation of one or more developmental abnormalities in the fetus" (Teratogen, 1998, p. 89). However, amplification of the..."

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