Skip to main content
Canadian Medical Association Journal logoLink to Canadian Medical Association Journal
. 1975 Mar 22;112(6):728–733.

A clinical look at the problem of drugs in pregnancy and their effect on the fetus.

S J Yaffe
PMCID: PMC1956206  PMID: 1122445

Abstract

The first annual W. E. Upjohn Lecture concerned itself with the interrelationship between administration of drugs to the pregnant woman and fetal outcome. The epidemiology of drug intake (both prescribed and self-administered drugs) during pregnancy is reviewed, using data derived from several surveys conducted both in the United States and in Scotland. The complexities of establishing a causal relationship between drug intake during pregnancy and effects upon the fetus are considered. Special emphasis is given to the adverse effects of aspirin and cigarette smoking. The shortage of data is critical and the need for further research is stressed.

Full text

PDF

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Becker R. F., Little C. R., King J. E. Experimental studies on nicotine absorption in rats during pregnancy. 3. Effect of subcutaneous injection of small chronic doses upon mother, fetus, and neonate. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1968 Apr;100(7):957–968. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(15)33756-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Bleyer W. A., Breckenridge R. T. Studies on the detection of adverse drug reactions in the newborn. II. The effects of prenatal aspirin on newborn hemostasis. JAMA. 1970 Sep 21;213(12):2049–2053. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Cole P. V., Hawkins L. H., Roberts D. Smoking during pregnancy and its effects on the fetus. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1972 Sep;79(9):782–787. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1972.tb12920.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Herbst A. L., Ulfelder H., Poskanzer D. C. Adenocarcinoma of the vagina. Association of maternal stilbestrol therapy with tumor appearance in young women. N Engl J Med. 1971 Apr 15;284(15):878–881. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197104222841604. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Hill R. M. Drugs ingested by pregnant women. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1973 Jul-Aug;14(4):654–659. doi: 10.1002/cpt1973144part2654. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Palmisano P. A., Cassady G. Salicylate exposure in the perinate. JAMA. 1969 Jul 28;209(4):556–558. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Shnider S. M., Way E. L. Plasma levels of lidocaine (Xylocaine) in mother and newborn following obstetrical conduction anesthesia: clinical applications. Anesthesiology. 1968 Sep-Oct;29(5):951–958. doi: 10.1097/00000542-196809000-00017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Slone D., Heinonen O. P., Monson R. R., Shapiro S., Hartz S. C., Rosenberg L. Maternal drug exposure and fetal abnormalities. Material and methods. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1973 Jul-Aug;14(4):648–653. doi: 10.1002/cpt1973144part2648. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Teramo K., Rajamäki A. Foetal and maternal plasma levels of mepivacaine and foetal acid-base balance and heart rate after paracervical block during labour. Br J Anaesth. 1971 Apr;43(4):300–312. doi: 10.1093/bja/43.4.300. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Canadian Medical Association Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Medical Association

RESOURCES