What is the term for the ability of a substance to cause abnormal fetal development when given to pregnant women?

The correct term for the ability of a substance to cause abnormal fetal development when given to pregnant women is teratogenicity. This concept is crucial in pharmacology and toxicology, as it specifically refers to the effects of certain medications, chemicals, or environmental factors that can lead to congenital malformations or other developmental issues in the fetus during pregnancy.

Understanding teratogenicity is vital for healthcare professionals, particularly when prescribing medications to pregnant patients. Certain drugs have well-documented teratogenic effects and can lead to serious birth defects, which is why healthcare providers take care to evaluate the risks versus benefits of treatment in pregnant individuals.

Nephrotoxicity refers to the toxic effects on the kidneys, carcinogenicity pertains to substances that can cause cancer, and hepatotoxicity involves damage to the liver. While all of these terms describe harmful effects of substances, they do not specifically relate to fetal development, which is why teratogenicity is the most accurate term in this context.