English.doc 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Side Effects of Using Some Drugs during Pregnancy

Hiba Alansari

University of the District of Columbia

English 515

November 13, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

                Pregnancy and wellbeing of pregnant women has been a very critical issue in the medical sector. The rate of maternity deaths has risen due to lack of proper handling of maternity issues and other diseases that are widespread during pregnancy. In many countries, expectant mothers and infants fall in to bad medical conditions because of application or poor consumption of certain medications. We all know that some drugs usually have side effects, and these drugs are the ones that are the primary source of such problems. They contain some substances that are harmful to infants and pregnant women. Such drugs don’t suit the pregnant women, and hence affect them and the fetus in different ways.

Congenital anomalies usually occur in one of every thirty-thee babies according a research done by centers for disease control and prevention (NICHD, 2012). Birth defects are commonly genetic, may be due to environment, or other unknown or known cases. However, it is well known that allergic and drug substances play a major role in detailing some side effects that are experienced by mothers and infants. Women especially, must know about pregnancy complication, some of the side effects of drugs that they use during pregnancy, and get advice on how to reduce birth defects risk.

Pregnancy Complications

Pregnancy complications are health problems which usually occur in time of pregnancy. The problems usually involve baby health, mother’s health or both. Some women have health problems that arise during pregnancy, and other women have health problems before they become pregnant that could lead to complications. Therefore, it is really important for women to receive health care before and during pregnancy to decrease the risk of pregnancy complications (CDC, 2015).

The Side Effect of Using Some Drugs during Pregnancy

Antithyroid Drugs

Thyroid hormones are a key factor in the wellbeing of a pregnancy and the life of an infant. A study reveals that maternal thyroid dysfunction may cause pregnancy complications and birth defect in the fetus. Wrong application of certain drugs and medication can affect the proper functioning of the thyroid hormone.  According to Laurberg and Andersen (2015), there are concerns about the side effect of taking antithyroid drugs (ATDs) during pregnancy period. ATDs have a history of affecting the right functions of the thyroid hormones causing fatal complications to the fetus. The other negative outcomes of using the ATDs are the occurrences of allergic or toxic reactions and overtreatment of the fetus. On the contrary, the study suggested that using the lowest dose of ATDs during the pregnancy may decrease the high risk of birth defect. This contradicting statement gives the idea that a huge consumption of ATDs has a direct effect on the functionality of the thyroid hormone. Besides, the study further reveals that Methimazole (MMI) and Propylthiouracil (PTU) are other drugs that can be used to reduce hyperthyroidism associate themselves with birth defects when used in early pregnancy (Laurberg, & Andersen, 2015).

Antipsychotic Medications

Doctors found out that severe psychiatric illness is common in pregnant women. It is important to conduct careful procedures while treating pregnant women suffering from severe psychiatric illness. Some studies indicated that using Antipsychotic medications may effects on the fetus in different ways. According to Kulkarni et al. (2015), there are no distinct patterns of fetal limb or organ malformation associated with using these drugs. However, the effect of using Antipsychotic medications during pregnancy is associated with the development of gestational diabetes and increased neonatal respiratory distress and withdrawal symptoms (Kulkarni et al., 2015). Some of the effects of these antipsychotic medications have a long-term effect on the fetus health. Even after birth, the fetus could still experience the effects of antipsychotic drugs through health complications. Further, clinicians ought to be cautious before endorsing the measurement of Antipsychotic for pregnant to alter high maternal passionate prosperity, sound pregnancies, and incredible infant tyke wellbeing results.

Inflammatory Eye Diseases Drugs

Mothers who attested to using drugs used to treat inflammatory eye diseases (IED) reported that their babies had post-birth health complications. An example of the drug was the Uveitis. IED commonly occur in the first trimester and postpartum period, but treatment on women that are expectant should be done by professionals. Therefore, it is essential to have prepared medications that control the disease and do not affect the fetus health. According to Wakefield, Abu El-Asrar, and McCluskey, "Several immunosuppressive drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy (methotrexate and alkylating agents), while others (corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclosporin) may be considered for use in pregnancy."(2012). Specific drugs were banned for use in the maternity treatment services, not only were they are harmful to the fetus but also because there is no sufficient evidence to prove that they are safe for fetus health (Wakefield et al., 2012).

Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that usually abbreviated to NSAIDs are drugs with analgesic, antipyreticdrugs that lowering body temperature and relieving pain without impairing consciousness in low doses, and in higher doses with anti-inflammatory effects (reducing inflammation). The study indicated that using these drugs during pregnancy may have the potential to cause adverse maternal and fetal effects. According to Valha and et al, "Maternal effects include prolongation of pregnancy and labor, whereas constriction of the ductus arteriosus, renal dysfunction and haemostatic abnormalities can occur in the fetus and neonate."(2010). This means using NSAIDs during pregnancy may be harmful and cause birth defect, and pregnancy have to be very careful when they need to use it.

Vitamin A

                Vitamin A is necessary for fetal development and pregnancy has to take sufficient amount of vitamin A from natural resources. Some animal studies with retinoic acid have been suggested that consumption of high doses of retinol during pregnancy may cause birth defects. Also, some synthetic derivatives of retinol such astretinate, isotretinoin, and tretinoin have been associate with birth defects when women use it during pregnancy. However, there is no increase in the risk of vitamin A associated birth defects has been observed when pregnancy consumed vitamin A supplement at doses below 3 mg/day (10,000 IU/day). In addition, consumption of vitamin A from beta-carotene has been not associated to increase the risk of birth defects. So, pregnancy has to be careful with doses of vitamin A to avoid the birth defects (Nutri-Facts, 2012).

 

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol will be harmful during pregnancy and cause to have a range of lifelong baby's health conditions. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, and stillbirth. When pregnant drinks alcohol, all the amount of alcohol quickly passes through the placenta and to her baby through the umbilical cord. That means the dose of alcohol in pregnant blood is the same in her baby's blood. Although pregnant body is able to manage alcohol in her blood, her baby's little body isn't. Because of pregnant liver can work hard to break down the alcohol in her blood, her baby's liver is too small to do the same then alcohol can hurt baby's development. Many studies indicated that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to serious fetal health conditions known collectively as “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” (FASDs). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can seriously harm the baby's development mentally and physically. In addition, drinking alcohol has been directly associated with birth defects in the baby's heart, brain, and other organs. The infant may also suffer from vision, hearing, learning and behavior complications. Some studies have been observed that infants be born too soon (preterm) and at low birthweight which lead to them to be likely to die (Marchofdim, 2012).

Advice to Reduce the Risk of Birth Defects

Not all birth defects can be prevented but also women can increase their chances of having a healthy baby by managing health conditions and adopting healthy behaviors before becoming pregnant. Centers for Disease Control and Preventionis in an effort to increase public knowledge about healthy pregnancies and to reduce the risk of birth defects that can be easily avoided. According to the CDC, pregnant women should take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day to prevent major birth defects of the infant’s brain and spine. Pregnant women must avoid drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, smoking marijuana and other “street drugs” at all times during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any medications or vaccinations. Therefore, by following these plans may help to reduce occurring birth defects risk (CDC, 2015). 

Conclusion

To sum up, birth defect is an issue in the world and pregnancy has to be educated by their doctor to avoid occurring birth defects in their fetus. Also, pregnancy has to ask the doctor before using any medications during pregnancy especially when they need to use antithyroid drugs, antipsychotic medications, inflammatory eye diseases drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and vitamin A. Finally, pregnancy has to stop drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes which be harmful for both her health and baby's health.

 

 

 

 

 

References

Alcohol & Drug-Related Birth Defects Research at the NICHD. (2012). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/resources/spotlight/Pages/062712-alcohol-drug-related-birth-defects.aspx

Alcohol during pregnancy. (2012). Marchofdim. Retrieved December 4, 2015, from http://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/alcohol-during-pregnancy.aspx#

Make a PACT for Prevention. Commit to Healthy Choices to Help Prevent Birth Defects. (2015). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 4, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/prevention.html

Pregnancy Complications. (2015).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pregcomplications.htm

Vitamin A, Adverse Effects, Overdose - Nutri-Facts. (2012). Retrieved December 6, 2015, from http://www.nutri-facts.org/eng/vitamins/vitamin-a-retinol/safety/

Kulkarni, J., Storch, A., Baraniuk, A., Gilbert, H., Gavrilidis, E., &Worsley, R. (2015). Antipsychotic use in pregnancy. Expert OpinPharmacother, 16(9):1335-45. Retrieved October 25, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26001182

Laurberg, P., & Andersen, SL. (2015). Graves'-Basedow disease in pregnancy. New trends in the management and guidance to reduce the risk of birth defects caused by antithyroid drugs.Nuklearmedizin, 54(3):106-11. Retrieved October 25, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26105719

Valha, P., Zmrhal, J., &Feyereisl, J. (2010). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in pregnancy.Ceska Gynekol,75(1):69-72. Retrieved October 25, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20437842

Wakefield, D., Abu El-Asrar, A., &McCluskey, P. (2012). Treatment of severe inflammatory eye disease in patients of reproductive age and during pregnancy. OculImmunolInflamm, 20(4):277-87. Retrieved October 25, 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22621209