Drugs and Pregnancy

Abstract

The toxic and teratogenic effects of various drugs taken during pregnancy are discussed. Almost every pharmacological substance can and does pass from the maternal to the fetal bloodstream, but drug effects are difficult to measure. Experimental findings in animals cannot be extrapolated from species to species and effects may have long term latencies. Aspirin taken during the last 3 mo. of pregnancy may cause impaired platelet function and hemorrhage in the newborn. Tobacco smoking is highly correlated with low birth wt of infants, prematurity, abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death. Chronic alcoholism results in the fetal alcohol syndrome of developmental delay, microencephaly and multiple minor anomalies of the limbs and cardiovascular system. Examples are used to emphasize the potential of all drugs to adversely affect the fetus.