Spina bifida in infants of women treated with carbamazepine during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

The question of whether carbamazepine, an antiepileptic drug, taken during pregnancy is associated with spina bifida was evaluated by reviewing the medical records for all (1,490) pregnant Medicaid recipients in Michigan during a nine-year period who took anticonvulsant drugs. Spina bifida is a condition in which the fetal vertebral column does not develop properly, resulting, in extreme cases, in protrusion of the spinal cord and in motor impairment. Four infants with spina bifida were identified in this group; however, three of these were born to the 107 women who took carbamazepine. One of these three mothers also took valproic acid, another anticonvulsant. One infant, out of a total of 1,018 born to women taking barbiturates only, had spina bifida, and no affected infant was born either to 444 women who took phenytoin, or 50 who took primidone (in both groups, no valproic acid or carbamazepine were taken). A review is presented of the medical literature concerning the effects of carbamazepine exposure on the fetus. It appears that such exposure, without the addition of valproic acid, is associated with a 1 percent risk of spina bifida. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Statistics, Anticonvulsants, Spina bifida, Teratogenic agents, Carbamazepine

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Birth outcomes in pregnant women taking fluoxetine

Article Abstract:

The antidepressant drug fluoxetine (Prozac) does not appear to increase the risk of major fetal birth defects when taken during pregnancy. However, women who take the drug during their third trimester may be risking premature delivery and other neonatal complications. This was demonstrated in a study of the outcomes of 228 pregnant women who were on fluoxetine compared to 254 women not taking the drug (the control group). There was no difference in the incidence of major birth defects but the incidence of 3 or more minor defects was more than twice that in the control group. Women who took the drug during the third trimester had a higher rate of neonatal complications.

Health aspects, Risk factors, Fetus, Pregnant women, Birth defects, Drug use, Fluoxetine

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