Читать книгу Infants and Children in Context - Tara L. Kuther - Страница 148

Prenatal development unfolds along a programmed path, a predictable pattern of change. However, environmental factors can interfere with the processes of prenatal development. A teratogen is an agent, such as a disease, drug, or other environmental factor, that disrupts prenatal development, increasing the risk of abnormalities, defects, and even death. The field of teratology attempts to find the causes of birth defects so that they may be avoided. Health care providers help pregnant women and those who intend to become pregnant to be aware of teratogens and avoid them, as much as possible, to maximize the likelihood of having a healthy baby.