Certain antibiotics during pregnancy may increase risk of birth defects

Pregnancy
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new study has found links between certain antibiotics during pregnancy and major congenital malformations in newborns.

The study included an analysis of information on 139,938 live births in Quebec, Canada, between 1998 and 2008. Clindamycin, doxycycline, quinolones, macrolides, and phenoxymethylpenicillin were linked to organ-specific malformations. Amoxicillin, cephalosporins, and nitrofurantoin were not associated with birth defects.

Although the absolute risks for were small, physicians should consider prescribing other antibiotics when treating patients with infections during pregnancy.

"Infections during pregnancy are frequent and should be treated; however, our study highlights safer options for the treatment of infections, more specifically or , at least during the first trimester of pregnancy," said Dr. Anick Bérard, senior author of the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology study.

More information: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2017). DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13355

Provided by Wiley
Citation: Certain antibiotics during pregnancy may increase risk of birth defects (2017, July 19) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-07-antibiotics-pregnancy-birth-defects.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Common antibiotics linked to increased risk of miscarriage

4 shares

Feedback to editors