Teratogens Flashcards
what are the classes of teratogens
- medications
- social drugs
- environmental agents
- high temp/fever
- infectious diseases
- chronic diseases
- nutrient deficiency/excess
examples of teratogenic medications
- seizure meds
- accutane
- thalidomide
- lithium
- chemotherapy drugs
examples of social drugs
- alcohol
- cocaine
- cigarettes
examples of environmental agents
- organic solvents
- heavy metals
- pesticides
- PCBs
how is zinc status related to teratogenesis?
involved in the induction of metallothioneins, which are proteins that participate in a stress response in the liver.
they can bind to zinc –> secondary deficiency
is cannabis ok to have when preg?
there’s a lot of evidence that says no (negative impact on memory, hyperactivity, future risk of addiction, neurohormonal release in the mom)
what is the general advice as it pertains to drugs for pregnant ppl?
avoid them if possible whatsoever, but especially early on
what’s toxoplasmosis?
infectious disease caused by parasites in cat feces
what nutrients are of particular interest in excess?
- iodides (congenital goiter, mental/physical retardation)
- fluoride (spina bifida occulta)
- vit D (facial abnormalities, mental retardation)
- vit A (CNS abnormalities)
what nutrients are particular interest in deficiencies?
- protein (microcephaly)
- vit A (eye, microceph)
- vit D (fetal rickets)
- vit E (congenital abnormalities)
- vit K (coumadin syndrome)
- folate
- iodine (cretinism)
- K (kidney abn)
- copper (connective tissue defects, brain/bone abn)
- zinc (neural tube)
name some drugs that can induce nutrient deficiencies
- folate antagonists (methotrexate)
- vit K antagonists (coumadin)
- anticonvulsant-induced folate and Zn deficiencies
FAS characteristics
- craniofacial dimorphism
- growth retardation
- decreased fat stores
- retarded psychomotor and intellectual development
- decreased attention span
- decreased IQ
- hyperactivity
what is the safe amount of alcohol a preg person can have?
no safe amount
- 1 oz of pure alcohol –> 160 g decrease in birth weight
- high risk - 3 oz alcohol/day or 4 drinks/day
- increased risk w binge drinking
why does alcohol cause FAS?
alcohol passes freely through placenta where its clearance is very limited
- replaces other caloric sources
- affects folic acid and Zn metabolism
- acetaldehyde and free radical toxicity
- excessive apoptosis in sensitive cell populations
- placental toxicity
- fetal hypoxia
alcohol (increases/decreases) absorption of folate and zinc
decreases
