Question

Teratogenicity is caused by

• A. Chloramphenicol
• B. Aspirin
• C. Paracetamol
• D. Cetirizine

Hint:

Chloramphenicol is known to cause teratogenic effects, and its use is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding teratogenicity.
Teratogenicity refers to the ability of a substance to cause birth defects in a developing fetus. Chloramphenicol is known to be teratogenic and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Chloramphenicol: Correct — Chloramphenicol is known to be teratogenic and can cause fetal harm.
(2) Aspirin: Incorrect, while aspirin can cause some risks during pregnancy, it is not typically teratogenic.
(3) Paracetamol: Incorrect, Paracetamol is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy and is not teratogenic.
(4) Cetirizine: Incorrect, Cetirizine is an antihistamine that is not associated with teratogenic effects.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (1) Chloramphenicol.

Answer 2

The question asks which of the listed drugs is known to be teratogenic (capable of causing fetal harm/birth defects). Let's assess each drug by its established safety profile in pregnancy.

1. Chloramphenicol: Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic associated with serious adverse effects in the fetus/neonate, including "grey baby syndrome" and other harmful effects, and it is generally avoided in pregnancy due to these known risks — placing it in the teratogenic/fetotoxic category the question is asking about.
2. Aspirin: Aspirin, at standard analgesic doses, is not classified as a major teratogen, though high doses in late pregnancy carry other specific risks (such as effects on bleeding or ductal closure); it isn't the drug best known for causing birth defects among these options.
3. Paracetamol: Paracetamol is widely regarded as the safest analgesic/antipyretic for use during pregnancy and is not associated with teratogenic effects.
4. Cetirizine: Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine generally considered to have a favourable safety profile in pregnancy and is not linked to teratogenicity.

Since paracetamol and cetirizine are considered comparatively safe in pregnancy, and aspirin's concerns in pregnancy are more about bleeding/labour timing than classic teratogenicity, chloramphenicol remains the option specifically flagged for fetal harm.

Therefore, the correct answer is Chloramphenicol.