Behavioral Teratology

Behavioral teratology is the study of individuals’ impaired behavior which was caused by harmful agents during the prenatal stage. This field aims to identify teratogens, precautions, and interventions regarding early development. For instance, pregnant women are generally not allowed to undergo x-ray procedures as it may cause birth defects, intellectual disability, and even fetal death. The inception of behavioral teratology is attributed to studies in the 1940s which centered on prenatal and postnatal effects of various environmental conditions.