title: Adverse environmental exposures in pregnancy: teratology in adolescent medicine practice.
abstract: A teratogen is any drug, chemical, infectious or physical agent, or maternal disease or altered metabolic state that causes a structural or functional disability by acting on the embryo or fetus. Teratogens are responsible for approximately 10% of all human birth defects. Education of physicians caring for children and adolescents in the basic principles of teratology, the spectrum of human teratogens, and the recognition of associated anomalies is essential, because many maternal exposures and resultant fetal defects are completely preventable.
authors: Greenwood Genetic Center, South Carolina 29646, USA.
authors: Laurie H
authors: LH
authors: Seaver
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000295:Adolescent Medicine; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013723:Teratogens; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens