Caffeine and Other Substances Could Cause Facial Malformations in Prenatal Child Development
The cause of craniofacial differences is not yet defined, but recent research suggests that diet and some medications or chemicals can affect prenatal development.
A group of scientists found that certain medications and some common substances contained in household items, the environment and diet such as caffeine can affect the prenatal development of babies. They specifically mention craniofacial differences such as cleft lip and/or palate, two conditions that do not have a specific cause that can be prevented.
The study published on the Oxford Academy website indicates that in addition to exposing embryos to contraindicated substances, there are multiple factors that affect malformations such as genetics, the environment of the gestational parents, diet and some diseases.
The scientists tested the effects of five drugs, including caffeine and the anticoagulant warfarin, on the growth of zebrafish embryos. Given the results, the team discovered that all of them altered the migration of bone-forming cells, which caused the appearance of abnormal facial formations.
Zebrafish embryos grow quickly, are transparent, and develop outside their parents’ bodies, aiding early growth research. The study indicates that these biological characteristics facilitate monitoring the behavior of living cells as they develop.
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In the last 10 years, these fish have been used for research projects into teratogens, agents capable of causing a congenital defect during embryo formation. However, the exact mechanisms by which this harms or alters typical embryonic development are still being understood.
Potential teratogens are regularly tested using animals such as rodents and rabbits. However, researchers are looking for alternative methods that are faster, cheaper and reduce the need for testing in mammals.
Cells that form the jaw and nose
For the research, the scientists manipulated the genome of zebrafish embryos by making bone-forming cells visible by fluorescently green.
Specifically, they selected those that are involved in craniofacial development in both mammals and fish. These minimal units in humans are responsible for the formation of parts of the jaw and nose.
They then added chemicals that can cause facial defects in newborn humans and traced the trajectories of bone-forming cells through the embryonic stages.
The researchers point out that the migration of altered cells is not only responsible for the appearance of malformations but, within 24 hours, they already showed visible signs of it. It is valid to highlight that these findings were made at a point in which zebrafish and mammal embryos share very similar morphological and molecular characteristics.
The results indicate the existence of a potentially general mechanism in the early stages of embryos, where teratogenic chemicals limit the movement of bone-forming cells causing facial malformations. A finding that can be implemented with other substances that could follow the same modality.
In addition, scientists highlight the zebrafish-based system as a way to perform tests to detect teratogens between species. They also urge that these findings can be used in mammalian embryos. The goal is to reach firm conclusions so that parents and doctors can become aware of how to limit or avoid certain substances during pregnancy.
