Teratogenesis is defined as what?

Teratogenesis is defined as what?

• A. The induction of defects in the fetus when a drug is given to a pregnant woman
• B. The transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell
• C. An immune-mediated drug reaction
• D. The regression of a tumor

Answer: (A)

Teratogenesis refers to the process by which exposure to a substance during pregnancy causes defects in the developing fetus. This can include congenital malformations and other developmental abnormalities that arise when a drug or chemical disrupts normal embryonic or fetal development, often during organ formation when the fetus is most vulnerable. That’s why the statement describing induction of fetal defects due to a drug given to a pregnant woman is the correct description. The other options describe different drug-related effects: transforming normal cells into cancer cells is carcinogenesis, an immune-mediated drug reaction is hypersensitivity, and regression of a tumor is a therapeutic tumor response. For context, teratogens can cause a range of outcomes depending on dose and timing, with classic examples like certain drugs causing limb or organ defects if exposure occurs during critical windows.

Teratogenesis refers to the process by which exposure to a substance during pregnancy causes defects in the developing fetus. This can include congenital malformations and other developmental abnormalities that arise when a drug or chemical disrupts normal embryonic or fetal development, often during organ formation when the fetus is most vulnerable. That’s why the statement describing induction of fetal defects due to a drug given to a pregnant woman is the correct description. The other options describe different drug-related effects: transforming normal cells into cancer cells is carcinogenesis, an immune-mediated drug reaction is hypersensitivity, and regression of a tumor is a therapeutic tumor response. For context, teratogens can cause a range of outcomes depending on dose and timing, with classic examples like certain drugs causing limb or organ defects if exposure occurs during critical windows.