Original scientific paper
Teratogenicity of Antibacterial Agents
Mirela Erić
Ana Sabo
Abstract
The aim of our study was to study the possible correlation between use of antibacterial drugs in pregnancy and occurrence
of congenital malformations. Among 6099 investigated pregnant women, 392 (6.43%) used antibacterial drugs.
The most frequently used antibacterials belonged to category B (75.77%), while 14.54% antibiotics belonged to category D
and 1.02% to category X. The most often used antibiotics were cephalexin (22.19%), amoxicillin (20.66%) and ampicillin
(14.29%). In 14 embryos exposed to effects of beta-lactams in utero, malformations were detected. The results of this study
show possible teratogenic potential even with those antibacterials which are considered safe, but as those are usually minor
malformations, they often pass undetected. Because of that and because of frequent use of antibacterials during
pregnacy, detailed examinations concerning their safety should be made.
Keywords
antibiotics; adverse effects; pregnancy+drug effects; pregnancy complications; fetus+drug effects; teratogens; abnormalities
Hrčak ID:
27047
URI
Publication date:
2.9.2008.
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