Which teratogen is associated with yellow-brown discoloration of deciduous teeth?

The teratogen associated with yellow-brown discoloration of deciduous teeth is tetracyclines. Tetracyclines are a class of antibiotics that can affect teeth and bones during fetal development and in early childhood when teeth are forming. When a pregnant woman takes tetracyclines, the drug can cross the placenta and bind to calcium in developing teeth, leading to permanent discoloration, as well as potential enamel defects. This effect is particularly noted in children who are given tetracyclines during the period when their teeth are still forming, typically up to the age of eight.

In contrast, the other options do not specifically result in the same dental discoloration. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy is linked with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which can lead to a range of developmental and physical issues but does not specifically cause discoloration of teeth. Thalidomide is known for causing limb abnormalities and other serious defects but is not linked to tooth discoloration. Isotretinoin, a retinoid used primarily for severe acne, is associated with various birth defects, particularly affecting the heart and central nervous system, but it does not cause yellow-brown discoloration of teeth either. Thus, tetracyclines are uniquely associated with this dental