What factors can cause fetal malformations?
Jan 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, fetal malformations may be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, maternal diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and abuse of drugs and chemical substances. Genetic factors are one of the important causes of fetal malformations. Chromosomal numerical or structural abnormalities in the parents, such as trisomy, monosomy, inversion, and translocation, can directly affect the normal development of the embryo, leading to structural or functional abnormalities in the fetus.
Generally speaking, genetic factors, environmental factors, maternal diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and abuse of drugs and chemicals may cause fetal malformations. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Genetic Factors
Genetic factors are one of the important causes of fetal malformations. Chromosomal number or structural abnormalities in parents, such as trisomy, monosomy, inversion, and translocation, can directly affect the normal development of the embryo, leading to structural or functional abnormalities in the fetus.
2. Environmental Factors
If a pregnant woman is exposed to high concentrations of chemicals, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and other organic solvents, or lives in an area with radiation pollution, it may adversely affect fetal development. These harmful substances can interfere with the normal developmental process of the embryo and increase the risk of fetal malformations.
3. Maternal Diseases
When a pregnant woman suffers from certain diseases, the likelihood of fetal malformations increases. For example, pregnant women with diabetes in a high blood sugar environment may have fetuses with heart or neural tube malformations; thyroid dysfunction, whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, may interfere with the brain and skeletal development of the fetus.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies
A pregnant woman's nutritional status is very important for fetal development. If the mother lacks certain essential nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin D, iron, etc., it will affect the normal development of the fetus's organs and tissues. For example, folic acid deficiency may lead to fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly; vitamin D deficiency may cause skeletal deformities.
5. Drug and Chemical Substance Abuse
It is very dangerous for pregnant women to take drugs at will or come into contact with certain prohibited chemicals during pregnancy. These drugs or chemicals may pass through the placenta into the fetal body and have adverse effects on its development. For example, taking certain antibiotics such as tetracycline may cause discoloration of the fetus's teeth and abnormal bone development; exposure to illicit drugs increases the risk of fetal heart malformations and abnormal brain development.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep, and avoid exposure to harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and radiation.
