Teratogens

According to dictionary.com a teratogen is “a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects”. Teratogens are also substances that are found in the environment which are known to cause defects in fetal development. Teratogens are one of the leading causes of death to newborns in the nation. “There are four major factors that depend on the extent of fetal defects and those are the dosage, genetic makeup of the mother and the developing fetus, fetal age, an other negative influences on pregnancy” (Berk, 2012). Some of the common teratogens include alcohol consumption, exposure to radiation, environmental pollution, tobacco and or drug use, and certain prescription and non- prescription drugs. My research has been done regarding my topic of negative effects of teratogens on the developing fetus. Two works have helped me see the effects that these teratogens have on the development, they are “ Binge alcohol consumption by non-alcohol- dependent women during pregnancy affects child behaviour, but not general intellectual functioning; a prospective controlled study” (Nulman, Rovet, Kennedy, Wasson, et al, 2004), and “Fever in pregnancy and risk of fetal death: A cohort study” (Andersen, Vastrup, et al 2002). Both of these studies focus on the negative effects of two different teratogens on the developing fetus. It is well studied that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have a life long impact on the developing fetus. In the study performed by Nulman 2004, it is said that the effects of binge consumption during early gestation on child neurodevelopment have not been elucidated. Temperament test results which is the combination of mental, physical and social traits of a person, showed that children exposed in utero to maternal binge drinking displayed a greater degree of disinhibited behavior and that this behavior was associated with early drinking variables. It also said that binge drinking