Teratogenesis
Teratogenesis is the process of abnormal development in embryos, leading to physical malformations or functional defects. This process can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, exposure to harmful substances, or diseases during pregnancy. Teratogenesis can result in a wide range of birth defects, from minor physical abnormalities to severe, life-threatening conditions.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Teratogenesis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic mutations: These can occur spontaneously or be inherited from parents. Genetic mutations can affect the normal development of the embryo, leading to physical or functional abnormalities.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to harmful substances, such as certain drugs, alcohol, or radiation, during pregnancy can interfere with normal embryonic development and cause birth defects.
- Infections: Certain diseases, such as rubella or toxoplasmosis, can cause teratogenesis if the mother is infected during pregnancy.
Effects[edit | edit source]
The effects of teratogenesis can vary widely, depending on the cause and the stage of development at which the embryo is affected. Some possible effects include:
- Physical abnormalities: These can include a wide range of defects, such as cleft lip or palate, heart defects, or limb abnormalities.
- Functional defects: These can include problems with organ function, such as heart or kidney disease, or neurological disorders, such as intellectual disability or autism.
- Birth defects: These are physical or functional abnormalities that are present at birth. They can range from minor to severe, and can affect almost any part of the body.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of teratogenesis involves avoiding known risk factors, such as certain drugs or infections, during pregnancy. Genetic counseling can also be helpful for couples with a family history of genetic disorders.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Teratogenesis Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
