Recently, the number of children born with developmental pathologies has been steadily increasing. This happens due to the influence of teratogenic (from the Greek. teros monster, freak) factors, because it is during the period of intrauterine development that the body is especially defenseless. In this case, much (though not always) depends on the responsibility of the mother.
Thus, the hero Hugo Quasimodo was crippled in the womb by his own mother, who tightly tightened her stomach during pregnancy in order to sell the freak child at a higher price. That is, the concept of "teratogenic factor" has been known to people for a very long time.
Stages of embryonic vulnerability
The degree of vulnerability of the fetus during pregnancy varies, doctors distinguish 3 stages.
- This stage takes from the first hours of pregnancy to 18 of her. At this time, if a large number of damaged cells are present, spontaneous miscarriage occurs. If a miscarriage does not occur, the embryo can soon restore damaged cells without compromising he alth. In other words, on thisstage, there are only two ways - either the embryo dies, or it fully develops further.
- The second stage is characterized by the greatest vulnerability of the fetus. The stage takes from 18 to 60 days. It is during this period that the most severe pathologies are formed, sometimes even incompatible with life. Doctors note that the most dangerous developmental anomalies are formed up to 36 days, later they are less pronounced and occur quite rarely, apart from defects in the genitourinary system and hard palate. That is why women with a pregnancy of up to three months often have a threat of miscarriage. During this period, it is especially important to take care of your own he alth, because the he alth of the unborn baby depends on it.
- During this period, the fetus has already formed organs and their systems, so their improper development is impossible. But there is a risk of impaired fetal growth, death of a certain number of cells, deterioration in the functioning of any of the organs. The most vulnerable nervous system of the child.
Types of teratogenic factors
The concept of "teratogenesis" (the occurrence of malformations) is divided into 2 types - anomalies arising from the adverse effects of the environment and anomalies as a result of hereditary diseases. However, the concept of "teratogenic factor" refers only to the first type. These are chemical, biological and other factors that cause congenital anomalies in the development of organs and systems.
The classification of teratogenic factors is as follows.
- Chemicals.
- Ionizing radiation.
- Wrong lifestyle of a pregnant woman.
- Infections.
Chemicals as a teratogenic factor
Every pharmacist will confirm that any chemical substance in large doses is toxic to the body. This is especially true for pregnant women, who are very carefully selected drug therapy, if necessary.
The list of chemicals that can harm the fetus is constantly updated. Meanwhile, it cannot be said that any substance from this list, as a teratogenic factor, will necessarily cause developmental anomalies, although some drugs can indeed increase the risk of this phenomenon by 2 -3 times. It is well established that drugs are most dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy, but their effect during the second and third trimesters has not been fully studied. Only the harmful effects of thalidomide are known for certain, especially on days 34-50 of pregnancy.
The greatest danger to a pregnant woman is the evaporation of mercury, toluene, benzene, chlorinated biphenyl and its derivatives. As well as the following groups of drugs:
- Tetracyclines (antibiotics).
- Valproic acid, used for seizures and epilepsy, and trimethadione.
- "Busulfan" (drug prescribed for leukemia).
- Androgenic hormones.
- "Captopril", "Enalapril" (indicated for hypertension).
- Iodine compounds.
- "Methotrexate" (has an immunosuppressive effect).
- Lithium carbonate.
- "Tiamazol"(thyrostatic agent).
- "Penicillamine" (used in autoimmune reactions).
- "Isotretinoin" (analogous to vitamin A).
- "Diethylstilbestrol" (hormonal drug).
- "Thalidomide" (sleeping pill).
- "Cyclophosphamide" (antineoplastic drug).
- "Etretinate" (used for skin diseases).
Since groups of drugs used for completely different diseases can negatively affect the fetus, it is necessary to prescribe therapy for a pregnant woman with extreme caution. Be sure to let your doctor know that you are pregnant.
Ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation includes ultrasound (however, doctors have long established that ultrasound does not cause significant harm to the fetus), fluorography, fluoroscopy and other research methods that involve the use of ionizing waves.
Other examples of teratogenic factors are accidents with the release of radioactive substances into the environment, treatment with radioactive iodine, radiation therapy.
Infectious agents and pregnancy
Since the placenta has a high degree of permeability, there is a risk of miscarriage or intrauterine infection of the fetus in a number of diseases. Infection in the first 7 weeks of pregnancy can lead to fetal pathologies that are compatible with life. Infecting a baby in later stages can lead to infection in the newborn.
It is noteworthy that the severity ofmanifestations of the disease in a pregnant woman and an embryo may vary.
The teratogenic factor includes the following infections:
- toxoplasmosis;
- cytomegalovirus;
- herpes I and II types;
- rubella;
- syphilis;
- Venezuelan equine encephalitis;
- varicella-zoster virus.
Chlamydia infection and purulent-inflammatory processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman also cause undesirable consequences for the child.
Wrong lifestyle of a pregnant woman
Women in position are responsible for the life and he alth of their child, so they must give up any alcoholic beverages, smoking and even excessive drinking of coffee. Other teratogenic factors include drug addiction, pesticides used in rural industries, powders and cleaning products.
It is important to eat right and avoid harmful, devoid of useful properties, food. The diet should be built in such a way that the pregnant woman receives everything necessary for the development of the fetus. So, protein deficiency leads to embryonic hypotrophy. A woman's body needs such trace elements as selenium, zinc, iodine, lead, manganese, fluorine. The diet should also contain enough calcium and vitamins.
Other teratogenic factors
Diabetes mellitus, endemic goiter, phenylketonuria and tumors that stimulate the production of androgenic hormones can lead to fetal pathologies. Doctors also believe that overheating and a lack of folic acid are dangerous for the fetus.
The factors listed above are called teratogenic. This concept includes everything that can disrupt the normal development of the fetus and lead to its anomalies. Alas, there are a lot of such factors, so it is extremely important for a woman to monitor her he alth and nutrition during pregnancy.
