Fetotoxic chemicals and drugs.

Abstract

Interest in fetotoxicity is at an unprecendented height since the thalidomide tragedy and recent scares regarding pesticides and congenital malformations. Perinatal and infant mortality from most causes except congenital malformations has fallen, and thus malformations are proportionately more important now than previously. The lay Press has also created anxiety over, as well as interest in, congenital malformations, particularly in relation to the herbicides Agent Orange and 2,4,5-T. The possible mechanisms of fetotoxicity include mutation, chromosomal effects, altered cellular function during development, and enzyme and substrate inhibition. These can result in a range of adverse effects i..