Drug-Induced Birth Defects

Teratogenicity refers to the capability of a drug to cause fetal abnormalities when administered to the pregnant mother. One of the best-known examples of such a drug- induced birth defect is the Thalidomide disaster. The drug was prescribed on a wide scale to pregnant mothers to ease the anxiety associated with it. The large-scale consumption of the drug resulted in children born with seal like limbs, often referred to as phocomelia. The drug was banned for prescription in 1961.