Phocomelia a disorder in which children are born with flipper like limbs are born when pregnant woman consume

Options

A. Alcohol
B. thalidomide drugs
C. smoking
D. paracetamol

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Phocomelia**: Phocomelia is a congenital disorder characterized by the severe shortening of the long bones in the limbs, leading to flipper-like appendages.

2. **Identifying Causes**: The disorder is primarily caused by maternal exposure to certain teratogenic substances during pregnancy. Teratogens are agents that can cause malformation or abnormal development in the fetus.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Option 1: Alcohol** - While alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and other developmental issues, it is not specifically linked to phocomelia.
- **Option 2: Thalidomide drugs** - Thalidomide is a drug that was historically used as a sedative and later found to cause severe birth defects, including phocomelia, when taken by pregnant women.
- **Option 3: Smoking** - Smoking during pregnancy is associated with various birth defects and complications but is not specifically known to cause phocomelia.
- **Option 4: Paracetamol** - Paracetamol is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy and is not linked to phocomelia.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the evaluation of the options, the correct answer is **Option 2: Thalidomide drugs**. This drug is known to cause severe shortening of the long bones in the limbs when consumed by pregnant women.