Class of antibiotics associated with birth defects

Women who take certain types of antibiotics during pregnancy can increase the risk of birth defects, new research has found.

A study published in this month's issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine discovered that while some antibacterial medications can be used to treat infection safely in pregnancy, other classes of antibiotics can be harmful to the developing foetus.

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In response to the findings, lead researcher Dr Krista Crider said: "Determining the causes of birth defects is problematic. A single defect can have multiple causes, or multiple seemingly unrelated defects may have a common cause.

"The lack of widespread increased risk associated with many classes of antibacterials used during pregnancy should be reassuring."

Mothers are advised that medications for allergies and constipation including Benadryl, Senekot and Milk of Magnesia are considered safe in pregnancy.

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