Covers environmental and maternal factors that shape embryonic and fetal development, grouping teratogens by drugs, recreational substances and environmental chemicals, then nutritional deficiencies, maternal diseases such as diabetes and TORCH infections, physical agents like radiation and hyperthermia, and psychosocial and socioeconomic influences. A second part introduces congenital malformations through chromosomal defects with trisomies, monosomies, polyploidy and structural changes, genetic single-gene and multifactorial disorders, and epigenetic changes, ending with how such errors disrupt early development. Examples such as thalidomide, folic acid deficiency and Down syndrome are named throughout.
Topic 88 of 127 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Cytology (Dental Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 13 sections, about 1,137 words (8 min of reading), with 28 flashcards.
In this note
Introduction
Teratogens:
Nutritional Factors:
Maternal Health Conditions:
Physical Agents:
Chemical and Environmental Pollutants:
Hormonal and Endocrine Factors:
Infectious Agents:
Psychosocial and Behavioural Factors:
Socioeconomic and Environmental Contexts:
Chromosomal Defects
Genetic Defects
How These Defects Affect Development
Introduction
Environmental factors play a crucial role in embryonic and fetal development, significantly influencing cellular processes, gene expression, and overall development. These factors include both external and maternal influences.
Teratogens:
Teratogens are substances or agents that cause developmental abnormalities (teratogenesis) during critical periods of embryonic development.
Drugs:
Thalidomide (medication that was used to treat nausea in pregnant women in the 1950's before it got banned) causes limb deformities.
Alcohol is associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
Retinoic acid (Vitamin A derivatives) can lead to craniofacial and heart defects.
Certain antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines) affect bone and teeth development.
Recreational substances:
Cocaine increases the risk of miscarriage, growth restriction, and preterm birth.
Tobacco is associated with low birth weight, prematurity, and placental problems.
Environmental chemicals:
Pesticides and herbicides are linked to neural and growth abnormalities.
Heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury) cause neurodevelopmental impairments.
Endocrine disruptors (e.g., bisphenol A, phthalates) affect hormonal signalling and reproductive development.
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