[Exogenous causes of disordered embryonal morphogenesis]

Recent advances in exogenous factors known to cause embryopathies are reviewed. Among the non-infectious agents alcohol is the most important, followed by a combination of anticonvulsant drugs, valproic acid, retinoic acid, lithium, coumarin derivates, methyl mercury, aminopterin and methotrexate, cocaine and amniogenic bands. Rubella embryopathy is well known. Varicella zoster and herpes simplex type II viruses are now also known to be teratogenic in some cases. Erythema infectiosum has recently been detected as a cause of embryonic death. Diabetic women and women with phenylketonuria must be carefully examined before and during pregnancy. There does not seem to be a world trend towards increased frequency of genetically and non genetically conditioned malformations.