Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing malformations in an embryo or fetus: Relating to or denoting substances, agents, or factors that can cause physical or functional abnormalities in a developing embryo or fetus. A teratogenic effect disrupts normal prenatal development.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thalidomide is a famously teratogenic drug that caused severe birth defects.
  • Pregnant women are advised to avoid alcohol due to its teratogenic potential.
  • The study aimed to determine if the new chemical compound was teratogenic in laboratory animals.

Advanced Usage

• "teratogenic risk": The probability or likelihood that an exposure will cause developmental abnormalities.
  • The medication's label clearly states its teratogenic risk for women of childbearing age.
• "teratogenic agent" / "teratogenic substance": A specific chemical, drug, infectious agent, or physical factor known to cause birth defects.
  • Rubella virus is a known teratogenic agent that can affect fetal heart and eye development.
• "teratogenic effect": The specific abnormal outcome or malformation caused by the agent.
  • The primary teratogenic effect of the toxin was on the developing nervous system.

Variants and Related Words

• Teratogen (noun): The substance or agent itself that causes the malformation.
  • Alcohol is a potent teratogen.
• Teratogenicity (noun): The capability or property of causing developmental malformations.
  • Researchers tested the compound's teratogenicity in a zebrafish model.
• Teratogenesis (noun): The process or origin of the development of congenital malformations.
  • The lecture covered the mechanisms of teratogenesis.

Synonyms

• Embryotoxic: Harmful to the embryo (note: this is a broader term that includes lethal effects, not just malformations).
• Developmental toxicant: An agent that is toxic to the developing organism.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Teratogenic potential: The inherent capability of a substance to cause birth defects.
  • All new pharmaceuticals are screened for teratogenic potential.
• Teratogenic exposure: The instance or period during which a developing organism is subjected to a teratogen.
  • The most critical period for teratogenic exposure is often during the first trimester.

Adjective

1. of or relating to substances or agents that can interfere with normal embryonic development