Teratogenicity

Teratogenicity is the capacity of an exposure to disrupt prenatal development and cause congenital anomalies. Its effects depend on the exposure, dose, timing, and developing organism.

Embryonic development: The process by which an embryo forms and develops into a fetus. Rapidly forming tissues can be especially vulnerable to disruption.
Teratogen: An exposure capable of causing abnormal development or congenital anomalies. This is the agent or exposure whose developmental hazard is assessed.
Thalidomide: A drug whose use during pregnancy caused severe limb and other congenital anomalies. Its effects revealed the danger of inadequate pregnancy safety evidence.
Mutagenicity: The capacity of an agent to cause changes in genetic material. Genetic mutation is distinct from disrupting development, though effects can overlap.
Human teratology: The study of abnormal human development and the causes of congenital anomalies. It integrates evidence about exposures and developmental outcomes in people.
Organogenesis: The stage of embryonic development when organs form from developing tissues. Exposure during organ formation can cause structural birth defects.
Pregnancy risk category: A system for communicating the potential risks of medicines during pregnancy. Medication counseling translates teratogenicity evidence into treatment choices.
Diethylstilbestrol: A synthetic estrogen prescribed during pregnancy that caused reproductive tract abnormalities in some offspring. Its effects included outcomes emerging years after prenatal exposure.
Carcinogenicity: The capacity of an agent to cause cancer. Cancer risk is a different toxicological endpoint from congenital anomalies.
Teratogen dose threshold: The exposure level below which a particular developmental effect is not observed or expected. Establishing thresholds is difficult when evidence comes from limited studies.

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