Some Known Teratogens
• Radiation
Atomic weapons
Radioiodine
Therapeutic radiation
• Infections
Cytomegalovirus
Herpes simplex virus I and II
Parvovirus B-19 (Erythema
infectiosum)
Rubella virus
Syphilis
Toxoplasmosis
Varicella virus
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus
• Maternal & Metabolic Imbalance
Alcoholism
Amniocentesis, early
(before day 70 post conception)
Chorionic villus sampling
(before day 60 post conception)
Cretinism, endemic
Diabetes
Folic acid deficiency
Hyperthermia
Myasthenia gravis
Phenylketonuria
Rheumatic disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
Virilizing tumors
Drugs and Environmental
Chemicals (Teratogens)
ACE inhibitors
(benazepril,captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril)
Aminopterin
Androgenic hormones
Busulfan
Chlorobiphenyls
Cigarette Smoking
Cocaine
Coumarin anticoagulants
Cyclophosphamide
Diethylstilbestrol
Etretinate
Fluconazole (high doses)
Iodides
Isotretinoin (Accutane
Lithium
Mercury, organic
Methimazole
Methotrexate (methylaminopterin)
Methylene blue (via intraamniotic
injection)
Misoprostol
Penicillamine
Phenytoin
Tetracyclines
Thalidomide
Toluene (abuse)
Trimethadione
Valproic acid
Binge drinking
Possible Teratogens
Carbamazepine
Colchicine
Disulfiram
Ergotamine
Glucocorticoids
Lead
Primidone
Quinine (suicidal doses)
Streptomycin
Vitamin A (high doses)
Zidovudine (AZT)
Zinc deficiency
Unlikely Teratogens
Agent Orange
Anesthetics
Aspartame
Aspirin (but aspirin in the 2nd half of
pregnancy may increase cerebral
hemorrhage during delivery)
Bendectin
Electromagnetic waves
Hydroxyprogesterone
LSD
Marijuana
Medroxyprogesterone
Metronidazole
Oral contraceptives
Progesterone
Rubella vaccine
Spermicides
Video display terminals
Ultrasound
