DR. RIA MASLOG
MEDICAL INSIDER
Maternal Medications and the Baby
Medications given to the mother may have adverse effects on
the fetus. The first 12 weeks of life is the most crucial period
since this is the period of organogenesis. So any drugs given
that are not safe may cause fetal malformations.
The following are the commonly used drugs with possible
effects on the fetus and newborns:
- Aspirin – hemorrhage, premature closure of ductus
arteriosus and pulmonary artery hypertension - Codeine- neonatal drug withdrawal
- Ibuprofen – reduced amniotic fluid volume
- General anesthesia- respiratory depression of infants at
delivery - Lidocaine- high serum levels causes CNS depression
- Aminoglycosides – ototoxicity
- Isoniazid- risk for folate deficiency
- Metronidazole – potential teratogen
- Tetracycline – yellow brown staining and carries of teeth
- Sulfonamides- may cause kernicterus
- Phenobarbital – hemorrhagic diseases
- Phenytoin – hemorrhagic diseases, fetal hydantoin
syndrome growth and mental deficiency, abnormal facie,
hypoplasia of distal phalanges - Valproic acid – meningomyelocele, facial and cardiac
anomalies - Warfarin – hypoplastic nose, mental deficiencies
- Antineoplastics drugs – cleft palate, hydrocephalus,
growth retardation, cardiovascular and digital anomalies - Antithyroid drugs- hypothyroidism
- Cardiovascular and antihypertensive drugs – neonatal
bradycardia, hypoglycaemia - Diuretics – increases fetal urinary sodium and potassium,
thrombocytopenia - Hormonal drugs – genital tract anomalies, increased rate
of premature delivery in future pregnancy, increased
incidence of clear cell adenocarcinoma - Sedatives, tranquilizers – cardiac anomalies, limb
reduction, hemorrhage - Social and illicit drugs – A. Alcohol: fetal alcohol
syndrome; B. Amphetamines: withdrawal, prematurity,
decreased birth weight and head circumference C.
Cocaine: decreased birth weight, microcephaly,
prematurity, stillbirth, cerebral hemorrhage; D. Heroin: –
low birth weight, – behavioral disturbances; E. Marijuana:
decreased fetal growth, increased incidence of acute
nonlymphoblastic leukemia in childhood; F. Tobacco
smoking: decreased birth weight, increased prematurity
rate, increased premature rupture of membranes,
placental abruption and placenta previa, increased fetal
death - Tocolytics- respiratory depression and neonatal
hypoglycaemia - Vitamins – A. Vitamin A – excessive doses are
teratogenic; B. Vit D – hypercalcemia; C. Vit K –
hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus; D. Isotrenitoin – ear,
cardiac, CNS and thymic anomalies
So, it is but best that all expectant women should be under the
care of an OB-Gyne specialist to avoid any untoward intake of
medications that could potentially harm the fetus and the
newborn.