Reactions 421 - 3 Oct 1992

Benzodiazepines

Dysmorphogenesis?: incidence studyIt appears that any association between maternal

benzodiazepine use during pregnancy and dysmorphogenesisoccurs in the setting of multiple alcohol and substance abuseand therefore cannot be attributed solely to benzodiazepineexposure.

This was highlighted by researchers from Sweden and theUS, who analysed computerised Medicaid claims files of 80women who had received ≥ 10 benzodiazepine prescriptionsduring pregnancy. Most of the women had potentiallyconfounding diagnoses which were risk factors for adversefetal effects, such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Thewomen also had clear patterns of drug dependency and abuse.

Of 64 available infant profiles of surviving children linked tothese women, 6 had diagnoses consistent with developmentalteratogenesis. Most of the children appeared to have no majorabnormality after such large benzodiazepine exposure. Twoadditional infants who were presumed to have died soon afterbirth also had diagnoses consistent with teratogenicity.

For the children who did have neurological disorders andheart defects, the abnormalities were consistent with fetalalcohol syndrome, but could also have been attributed tobenzodiazepines or other toxins.Bergman U, et al. Effects of exposure to benzodiazepine during fetal life. Lancet340: 694-696, 19 Sep 1992 - Sweden 800155226

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Reactions 3 Oct 1992 No. 4210114-9954/10/0421-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved