Title: Environmental toxicants and fetal development - Wikipedia
Headings: Environmental toxicants and fetal development
Environmental toxicants and fetal development
Contents
Effects
Preterm birth
Structural congenital abnormality
Neurodevelopmental disorder
Toxicants and their effects
Alcohol
Tobacco smoke
Mercury
Lead
Dioxin
Air pollution
Pesticides
Benzenes
Other
Avoiding relevant environmental toxins in pregnancy
Natural gas development
Role of the placenta
See also
References
Further reading

Content: High mercury levels in newborns in Gaza are theorized to originate from war weaponry. Mercury exposure in pregnancy may also cause limb defects. Lead
Adverse effects of lead exposure in pregnancy include miscarriage, low birth weight, neurological delays, anemia, encephalopathy, paralysis, blindness,
The developing nervous system of the fetus is particularly vulnerable to lead toxicity. Neurological toxicity is observed in children of exposed women as a result of the ability of lead to cross the placental barrier. A special concern for pregnant women is that some of the bone lead accumulation is released into the blood during pregnancy. Several studies have provided evidence that even low maternal exposures to lead produce intellectual and behavioral deficits in children. Dioxin
Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds persists in the environment for a long time and are widespread, so all people have some amount of dioxins in the body. Intrauterine exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds have been associated with subtle developmental changes on the fetus. Effects on the child later in life include changes in liver function, thyroid hormone levels, white blood cell levels, and decreased performance in tests of learning and intelligence. Air pollution
Air pollution can negatively affect a pregnancy resulting in higher rates of preterm births, growth restriction, and heart and lung problems in the infant.