Which medication may show a delayed teratogenic effect in offspring?

The correct choice is diethylstilbestrol (DES), which is known for its delayed teratogenic effects. DES was prescribed to pregnant women from the 1940s to the 1970s to prevent pregnancy complications; however, it was later found to cause a spectrum of health problems in the children of those women. These problems did not always become apparent until years later, often during adolescence, which is what classifies its effects as delayed.

In the case of DES, exposure in utero has been linked to reproductive abnormalities, increased risk of certain cancers, and complications related to the structure of the reproductive system in female offspring, such as clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix. The long-term effects of this medication illustrate how some teratogens can have outcomes that might not manifest until years after exposure, underscoring the importance of understanding the implications of medication use during pregnancy.

The other medications listed do have known teratogenic effects, but these are typically recognized sooner and do not exhibit the same delayed presentation of adverse outcomes as seen with DES. This distinction emphasizes the unique nature of diethylstilbestrol in teratogenic studies and clinical practice.