Teratology

Research from University Hospital broadens understanding of women's health

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"The Swedish Medical Birth Register was used to identify 476 women who reported the use of AZA in early pregnancy. The effect of AZA exposure on pregnancy outcomes was studied after adjustment for maternal characteristics that could act as confounders. The most common indication for AZA use was IBD. The rate of congenital malformations was 6.2% in the AZA group and 4.7% among all infants born (adjusted OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.98-2.04). An association between early pregnancy AZA exposure and ventricular/atrial septal defects was found (adjusted OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.45-6.04). Exposed infants were also more likely to be preterm, to weigh <2500 gm, and to be small for gestational age compared to all infants born. This effect remained for preterm birth and low birth weight when infants of women with IBD but without AZA exposure were used as a comparison group. A trend toward an increased risk of congenital malformations was found among infants of women with IBD using AZA compared to women with IBD not using AZA (adjusted OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 0.93-2.18). Infants exposed to AZA in early pregnancy may be at a moderately increased risk of congenital malformations, specifically ventricular/atrial septal defects. There is also an increased risk of growth restriction and preterm delivery," wrote B.J. Cleary and colleagues, University Hospital.

The researchers concluded: "These associations may be confounded by the severity of maternal illness."

Cleary and colleagues published their study in Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology (Early pregnancy azathioprine use and pregnancy outcomes. Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology, 2009;85(7):647-54).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting B.J. Cleary, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Dublin 8, Ireland.

The publisher of the journal Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

Keywords: Ireland, Dublin, Women's Health, Atrial Septal Defect, Autoimmune Disease, Autoimmune Disorders, Azathioprine Sodium, Cardiology, Drugs, Immunology, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Pharmaceuticals, Pregnancy, Therapy, Transplantation, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.