Medical genetics: 1. Clinical teratology in the age of genomics.
Teratogenic exposures are those that can cause an embryo or fetus to develop abnormally. Several factors determine whether an agent is teratogenic, including the gestational timing of the exposure, as well as the dose, route and nature of the agent itself. We review the general concepts of teratogenesis, as well as known genetic susceptibilities to teratogenic effects, with a special focus on antiepileptic drugs. We discuss general principles of risk counselling and risk reduction, and we describe several long-known teratogens, as well as several exposures recognized only recently to have teratogenic potential.
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. polifka@u.washington.edu
Janine E
JE
Polifka
J M
JM
Friedman
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013723:Teratogens; D014635:Valproic Acid