Risk Assessment For Neurobehavioral Disorders And Developmental Delays

Caused By Prenatal Exposure To Teratogens

© 2006-2011 Teresa Kellerman

A teratogen is any substance that might cause birth defects or brain damage to the developing baby during pregnancy. Teratogens can adversely impact fetal development from two weeks after conception throughout the entire pregnancy, with the brain most vulternable to damage during the first trimester. The following teratogens have been linked to neurobehavioral disorders or developmental delays in children exposed in utero:

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Phenytoin (seizure medication) Mercury Lead

Toulene Radiation Alcohol Tobacco

The risk factors associated with prenatal exposure are as follows:

Risk Factors	Once or twice	Several times	Never	Not sure
Maternal residence outside of the U.S. during pregnancy
Maternal ingestion of dust in New York City at time of collapse of World Trade Center during pregnancy
Maternal housing close to hazardous waste site during pregnancy
Maternal use of prescription drugs for seizures during pregnancy
Maternal housing close to coal-fueled power plant during pregnancy
Maternal consumption of shark, swordfish, tilefish, mackerel, or more than 8 oz. per week of tuna during pregnancy
Maternal employment in manufacturing plant during pregnancy
Maternal employment or hobbies related to pottery, batteries, firearms, stained glass, soldering, automotive repair during or prior to pregnancy
Birth prior to 1967 when gasoline still contained large amounts of lead
Maternal exposure to renovation of a house built prior to 1950
Maternal pica (disorder that causes ingestion of non food items) during or prior to pregnancy
Maternal sniffing of glue or paint during pregnancy
Maternal exposure to excessive radiation (500 xrays of abdomen or close to nuclear testing) between 2^nd and 12^th week of pregnancy
Maternal use of illegal drugs during pregnancy
Maternal consumption of alcohol (more than 4 drinks at any one sitting) any time during pregnancy
Maternal consumption of alcohol (more than 4 drinks at any one sitting) during 30 days prior to pregnancy
Paternal consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol (more than 4 drinks at one sitting) prior to or at the time of conception
Maternal smoking during pregnancy

“Prenatal alcohol represents the largest environmental cause of behavioral teratogenesis yet discovered and, perhaps, the largest single environmental cause that will ever be discovered." -Riley, E. P., and Vorhees, C. V. (1986). Handbook of Behavioral Teratology. Plenum Press, New York, NY

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