An Alternative Path to Exceptionality: Prenatal Effects of Teratogenic Substances on Developmental Processes

Abstract

The chapter discusses how two primary teratogenic substances, alcohol and cocaine, affect developmental processes. It reviews works pertaining to other teratogens. An overview of general principles of teratology is provided and fetal alcohol syndrome and effects are defined and discussed. Corresponding evidence in experimental animal models is given and the epidemiology of alcohol-related exposure outcomes in infancy, preschool years, middle childhood, and adolescence is discussed. The chapter provides a history of cocaine use and the drug's effects on the body, as well as its teratogenic effects in infancy and early childhood. It concludes with a discussion of prevention of prenatal teratogen exposure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)