Effects Of Teratogens
It is important that newly pregnant women know that teratogens are environmental substances/agents that harm the development of the fetus. These substances are dangerous because the can cross the placental barrier and negatively affect the fetus. Some of them include: alcohol (causes cardiac, skeletal, and urogenital abnormalities), tobacco (causes low birth weight prematurity; respiratory problems, cleft palate, etc.), cocaine (causes irritability, restlessness, tremors; medically and psychologically fragile, etc.), and marijuana (can cause neurological effects; low birth weight, learning problems, etc.). Some infections and diseases are also called teratogens, such as AIDS, rubella, German measles, which, during the first trimester can cause