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Hyperthermia is a recognized teratogen in mammalian laboratory animals and is a suspected teratogen for humans. The purpose of this synopsis is to reanalyse existing data on hyperthermia-induced teratogenic effects in experimental mammalian systems in terms of a thermal dose (temperature:time) concept, and then to illustrate the utility of this concept to human situations involving potential thermal increments to post-implantation embryos and foetuses. For example, the threshold temperature elevation for hyperthermia-induced teratogenic effects in experimental mammals is estimated (but not rigorously tested) to be ~1.5°C above core values for exposures of long duration, possibly with a thermal dose of ~5min duration or more at 4°C. This level of tissue temperature increment is within the capability of some modern diagnostic ultrasound (DUS) devices sold within the USA and abroad. Epidemiological studies …