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November 3rd, 2009, 11:40 AM
Antibiotics up risk of birth defects in unborn?
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:42:18 GMT
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=110347§ionid=3510210
Certain antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infection may increase the risk of several birth defects if used early in pregnancy, a new study finds.
Previous studies had reported that bacterial infections during pregnancy could, if left untreated, contribute to life threatening conditions in mother and the unborn.
While many believe most antibiotics are safe for pregnant women, the study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found sulfonamide (such as Bactrim) and nitrofurantoins (such as Macrobid), two preferred classes of drugs for urinary tract infection, can place the unborn at an increased risk of developing birth defects.
According to the study, taking sulfonamides during the first trimester of pregnancy, a critical period in fetal development, is associated with defects such as anencephaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, coarction of the aorta and diaphragmatic hernia.
Taking nitrofurantoin in the same period was linked to anophthalmia or microphthalmos, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrial septal defects and cleft lip with cleft palate.
Penicillin and erythromycin, however, were reported to be safe in this group of individuals.
"It's important to realize that in every pregnancy, regardless of any medication use, there's a 3 percent chance of a birth defect," said lead researcher Krista S. Crider, adding that many of the studied defects were very rare.
Scientists therefore urged physicians to prescribe safe antibiotics to treat their pregnant patients suffering from infection.
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:42:18 GMT
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=110347§ionid=3510210
Certain antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infection may increase the risk of several birth defects if used early in pregnancy, a new study finds.
Previous studies had reported that bacterial infections during pregnancy could, if left untreated, contribute to life threatening conditions in mother and the unborn.
While many believe most antibiotics are safe for pregnant women, the study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found sulfonamide (such as Bactrim) and nitrofurantoins (such as Macrobid), two preferred classes of drugs for urinary tract infection, can place the unborn at an increased risk of developing birth defects.
According to the study, taking sulfonamides during the first trimester of pregnancy, a critical period in fetal development, is associated with defects such as anencephaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, coarction of the aorta and diaphragmatic hernia.
Taking nitrofurantoin in the same period was linked to anophthalmia or microphthalmos, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, atrial septal defects and cleft lip with cleft palate.
Penicillin and erythromycin, however, were reported to be safe in this group of individuals.
"It's important to realize that in every pregnancy, regardless of any medication use, there's a 3 percent chance of a birth defect," said lead researcher Krista S. Crider, adding that many of the studied defects were very rare.
Scientists therefore urged physicians to prescribe safe antibiotics to treat their pregnant patients suffering from infection.