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Teratogens for the Genetic Counseling Board Exam
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
ACE inhibitors - ANSWER ✔✔-"the only anti-hypertensive medications associated with structural
defects, Renal tubular dysplasia -> oligohydramnios, Potter's sequence, and pulmonary hypoplasia
IUGR
Hypocalvaria manifested by large anterior fontanel, vasodilation, severe fetal hypotension,
anuria/oligura"
Alcohol - ANSWER ✔✔-"Growth restriction
CNS involvement, (intelligence & behavior)
Characteristic facial features such as ptosis, short palpebral fissures, smooth philtrum and thin upper
vermilion, microcephaly, flat nasal bridge"
Aminopterin - ANSWER ✔✔-(50%) IUGR, Short stature, delayed calvarial ossification, craniosynostosis,
hydrocephalus, abnormal auricles, ocular hypertelorism, microignathia, Cleft Palate, limb & digital
anomalies, NTDs
Amphetamines - ANSWER ✔✔-heart defects and CL in some mice
Anticonvulsants - ANSWER ✔✔-"6-15% risk for major malformations
Hypertelorism
Broad depressed nasal bridge
Short nose with anteverted nares
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.
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"Cupid's bow" lip
Fingernail hypoplasia
Meningomyelocele
Oral clefts
Congenital heart defects
Limb defects
Developmental delay, most significantly with valproic acid"
Aspirin - ANSWER ✔✔-inc SAb risk when exposed around conception, avoid in late pregnancy due to
concerns for premature constriction of ductus arteriosus & bleeding abnormalities
Benzodiazepines - ANSWER ✔✔-"Clefting?
neonatal adaptation syndrome"
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) - ANSWER ✔✔-Spina Bifida (1%), craniofacial anomalies, dev delay?
Cigarettes - ANSWER ✔✔-Infertility, ectopic pregnancy, miscarraige, placental abruption, placental
previa, fetal growth restriction (dose dependant), preterm delivery, SIDS, orofacial clefts, abnormal
placentation, decreased childhood pulmonary fxn, ADHD, food allergies
Cocaine - ANSWER ✔✔-Premature labor/birth, abruption, uterine rupture, cerebral infarction (stroke),
brain disruptions, Sab, behavioural abnormalities
Codeine - ANSWER ✔✔-"Mothers ultrarapid metabolizers of cytochrome P450 2D6-> Newborn exposed
to toxic doses of morphine
(1/100-28/100 in population)
excessive sleepiness, feeding and respiratory difficulties"
Created by Grace Amelia © 2025, All Rights Reserved.