Abstract:

The term “Teratogens” was first described in Paris, France in early 1932. “Teratogens” comes from the Greek word τέρας teras, which means “monster” or “marvel”. For centuries, the meaning of the term “teratogens’ changed and nowadays it refers to many factors, agents or substances that can compromise the normal development of the fetus.

Many factors/agents such as physical, chemical and environmental were found to be harmful when exposure to them occurs during the pregnancy. Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, usage of medications, viral and bacterial diseases during the pregnancy can only result in fetus death, congenital malformations and miscarriages.

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