The hypothesis of fuel-mediated teratogenesis (1) proposes that intrauterine exposure to an excess of fuels (for example, glucose) causes permanent fetal changes. In pregnancies complicated by diabetes, this would lead to malformations, greater birth weight, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. Recently, obesity in the offspring has been included as an outcome in p...

One of the original principles of teratology states that, "Susceptibility to teratogenesis varies with the developmental stage at the time of exposure to an adverse influence" [Wilson JG. Environment and Birth Defects. New York:Academic Press, 1973]. The time of greatest sensitivity encompasses the period of organ formation during weeks 3-8 following fertilization in human gestation. At this ti...

IT IS generally recognized that some congenital malformations may be caused by an abnormal environment surrounding the mother in pregnancy. Many experiments have been reported concerning the teratogenesis due to various hypovitaminoses, but there are relatively few reports on teratogenesis resulting from the administration of a large quantity of vitamin. Among the latter, the best known are mal...