[Teratology and epidemiology in the study of environmental teratogens]

The processes of cellular migration, cellular differentiation and cellular multiplication are studied, since these are the basic developmental processes upon which teratogenic agents act resulting in congenital malformations. We also carefully analyze the interactions between teratogen-embryo in order to establish adequate parameters for analysis of environmental teratogens, as well as experimental teratogenesis and epidemiology. Information on the pathogenesis of congenital malformations obtained from experimental teratology in an adequate biological model, can be extrapolated to the human. The etiology of congenital malformations resulting from environmental teratogens can only be elucidated through epidemiology, since there is species specificity. Such a study must fulfill the following prerequisites: diagnosis of the congenital malformation, ruling out genetic factors in the family tree and determination of the exact time of exposure to the possible teratogen during the pregnancy.