Birth Defects Linked to Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil in Pregnancy
Author Information
Author(s): Pamela Bowman, Bijay Vaidya
Primary Institution: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, University of Exeter
Hypothesis
Does the use of carbimazole and propylthiouracil during pregnancy lead to an increased risk of birth defects?
Conclusion
The study suggests that carbimazole may be associated with a higher risk of birth defects compared to propylthiouracil.
Supporting Evidence
- 57 cases with 97 anomalies were reported following in utero exposure to carbimazole.
- Only 6 cases with 11 anomalies were reported for propylthiouracil.
- Two-thirds of the cases with birth defects associated with both drugs had multiple anomalies.
Takeaway
This study looked at reports of birth defects in babies whose mothers took certain medications during pregnancy and found that one of the medications, carbimazole, might cause more problems than the other, propylthiouracil.
Methodology
Analysis of birth defects reported via the Yellow Card Scheme over a 47-year period.
Potential Biases
Potential reporting bias may exist as prescribers might be more likely to associate congenital anomalies with carbimazole due to prior knowledge of its risks.
Limitations
The study cannot determine the true prevalence of birth defects and is subject to underreporting biases.
Participant Demographics
Reports were collected from healthcare professionals, patients, and pharmaceutical companies in the UK.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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