How do Teratogenic Drugs cause Birth Defects?
Teratogenic drugs cause birth defects by damaging the fetus or placenta or umbilical cord; or by causing uterine contractions.
Teratogenic drugs can cause birth defects by-
- Damaging the fetus directly
- Damaging the placenta or umbilical cord, thus increasing the risk of birth defects
- Causing uterine contractions that can injure the fetus or cause premature delivery
The kind, nature and frequency of birth defects caused by a teratogen depends on-
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- The property of the drug
- Rate and amount of drug reaching the fetus
- Duration of exposure
- Stage of the fetal development at the time of exposure
- Effect of other drugs used in combination
