title: Environmental pollution and pregnancy: risks and uncertainties for the fetus and infant.
abstract: Numerous environmental contaminants can affect the developing embryo, fetus, or infant. This essay explores such questions as these: What is the importance in mutagenesis and teratogenesis of macroenvironmental pollutants such as the heavy metals, dioxin derivatives, polychlorinated diphenyl compounds, and pesticides? What is the significance of microenvironmental pollutants (or social environmental factors) such as tobacco smoke, alcohol, and pharmacologic agents over which exposed individuals have considerable control? What are some of the ethical and legal implications of these toxins of which clinicians should be aware?
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects; D004147:Dioxins / Q000506:poisoning; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000506:poisoning*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006281:Health Occupations; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007603:Jurisprudence; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008670:Metals / Q000506:poisoning; D009153:Mutagens; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000506:poisoning; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000506:poisoning; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011640:Public Policy; D012906:Smoke; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013723:Teratogens; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D009153:Mutagens; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D012906:Smoke; D013723:Teratogens; D000431:Ethanol; D010126:Ozone; D009538:Nicotine; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls