Teratogenicity alcohol

FAS is normally characterized by growth retardation, anomalies of the head and face, and psychomotor dysfunctions. Excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol may lead to malformations of the heart, extremities, and kidneys. Since consumption of ethyl alcohol is socially acceptable and prevalent even in pregnant women, the risks associated with the use of ethyl alcohol are remarkable. However, it should be kept in mind that there are several chemical compounds in tlie occupational environment that may also cause malformations even at low doses. The oc-cupationally-important known human teratogens include methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, PCB compounds, tobacco smoke, lead, TCDD, 2,4,5- F, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, gasoline, and fluoride. 

Alcohol sulfates and alcohol ether sulfates were examined many years ago for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties. A complete revision of these subjects was carried out by Oba [382]. 

From the detailed studies performed either using individual alcohol sulfates and alcohol ether sulfates or formulated products by oral administration and skin contact, no evidence of carcinogen risk was found. Similar conclusions were obtained when these sulfates or formulated products were tested for mutagenic and teratogenic properties. 

O Shea, K.S. and Kaufman, M.H. The teratogenic effect of acetaldehyde implications for the study of the fetal alcohol S3mdrome. J. Anat., 128 65-76, 1979. 

Teratogen or Any substance that causes defects in the Alcohol can cause... 

Gilman MR. 1971. A preliminary study of the teratogenic effects of inhaled carbon tetrachloride and ethyl alcohol consumption in the rat. Dissertation. Philadelphia, PA Drexel University. 

Teratogenic activity. Resin, administered orally to pregnant rabbits at a dose of 1 mL/ kg, was active k Alcohol extract of the dried leaves, administered intragastrically to pregnant rats at a dose of 125 mg/kg from days 7 to 16 of gestation, was active. The fetuses showed several gross abnormalities, visceral anomalies, and skeletal mal-formations . Water extract of the dried... 

A few comments Beyond water, ethanol is perhaps the most commonly used solvent in chemistry. It has also been used extensively in some countries as fuel. As a result, its presence in the environment, aquatic and atmospheric, is increased. Ethanol in great doses has been recognized as a human teratogen, well before experimental studies in animals were undertaken. However, the consumption of alcohol via drinks and beverages covers any adverse effects due to ethanol s presence in the environment. 

The mechanisms that underlie ethanol s teratogenic effects are unknown. Ethanol rapidly crosses the placenta and reaches concentrations in the fetus that are similar to those in maternal blood. The fetal liver has little or no alcohol dehydrogenase activity, so the fetus must rely on maternal and placental enzymes for elimination of alcohol. 

Adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, stomatitis, and peripheral neuropathy with prolonged use. Metronidazole has a disulfiram-like effect, and patients should be instructed to avoid alcohol. Although teratogenic in some animals, metronidazole has not been associated with this effect in humans. Other properties of metronidazole are discussed in Chapter 52. 

Nowhere are the effects of the permeability of the placental membrane more graphic than in the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the children of alcoholic mothers. FAS produces distinctive anatomical features and mental retardation. Ethanol is called a teratogen because it causes genetic malfunction. Recall that thalidomide was a teratogen. 

Butyl acetate [123-86-4], one of the more important derivatives of -butyl alcohol produced commercially, is employed as a solvent in rapid drying paints and coatings. In some instances, butyl acetate, C.H1202, has replaced ethoxyethyl acetate [111-15-9] due to the latter s reported toxicity and teratogenicity. Butyl acetate is used in leather treatment, perfumes, and as a process or reaction solvent and is also used extensively with wood coatings, maintenance coatings, and in coatings for containers and closures. 

Alcohol has teratogenic effects that are manifested by CNS dysfunction. 

Since the discovery of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), extensive research has been carried out on the teratogenic effects of alcohol The consequences of early exposure to this substance can serve to illustrate the multiplicity of effects that a chemical can cause. Chronic exposure of the fetus to high levels of alcohol has been found to result in many cases in a large spectrum... 

Noxious substances inhaled when smoking, caffeine absorbed from coffee or other drinks, ethanol-uptake from alcoholic drinks are examples of potentially neurobehavioral teratogens absorbed by pregnant women as part of everyday social life patterns. 

Effects of low doses of alcohol are considered to be not as dramatic as those of heavy drinking. The occurrence of teratogenic effects decreases when addicted women cut down on alcohol intake or stop drinking altogether after the first trimester (refs. 51, 52). However, McLeod et al. (ref. 60)) found a disappearance followed by a decreased level of fetal breathing movements for 3 hours after the intake of a low dose of alcohol (0.25 g/kg). Therefore, if these movements have a function in the development of the fetus, regular social drinking may have some noxious effects as well. In addition, rat studies have shown that postnatal ethanol treatment can still cause... 

Mattson SN, Schoenfeld AM, Riley EP (2001) Teratogenic effects of alcohol on brain and behavior. Alcohol Res Health, 25(3) 185-191. 

In Chapter 2 the significance of the placental transfer of drugs from the maternal circulation into the fetus was discussed. At that time, the prototypic teratogen thalidomide was discussed along with several contemporary drugs such as alcohol and cocaine. By the time that thalidomide was finally removed from the market and the medicine cabinets, it had caused severe deformities in approximately 10,000 children in 46 countries. 

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