The first large scale study looking at the use of antibiotics during pregnancy has found a "surprising" link between antibiotics prescribed for urinary tract infections and birth defects.
The findings indicate that "mothers of babies with birth defects were more likely than mothers with healthy babies to report taking two types of antibiotics during pregnancy: sulfa drugs (brand names include Thiosulfil Forte and Bactrim) and urinary germicides called nitrofurantoins (brand names include Furadantin and Macrobid)."
These antibiotics predate the FDA's current testing requirements and have been used for decades with no studies conducted on whether or not they are safe for moms-to-be. "The FDA now grades all drugs for safety to the fetus based on available research, but rigorous studies are so lacking in many cases, that no antibiotics get the highest grade of ''A.''
The challenge is that bacterial infections left untreated can affect the fetus so antibiotics should not be avoided altogether. Information gathering and conversation with health care providers is warranted on the mom-to-be's part.
The FDA has proposed changes to prescription drug labeling that would require more complete information for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and those who breastfeed.
The study appears in November's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
read the complete AP article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/11/02/health/AP-US-MED-Antibiotics-Birth-Defects.html?em
There's a discussion thread on this topic over at Mothering.com
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=66916
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