Labour drug affects brain

Using drugs for premature labour might lead to a potential increase in the incidence of brain damage and associated cognitive and psychiatric problems later in life.Researchers from the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina conducted a study on rats and found that newborn rats when given the drug terbutaline experienced more extensive brain damage when they were later exposed to a chemical often used in pesticides. Although the study was conducted on animals, the findings may help explain the reported increased risk of psychiatric and learning disorders in children who were exposed to terbutaline in the womb. Terbutaline helps stop premature labour by relaxing smooth muscles, which interferes with the contractions of the uterus.Nevertheless, many obstetricians continue to prescribe terbutaline or related drugs for long-term administration in pregnancy. Studies show that there are significant liabilities in doing so, and that the risk-benefit comparisons need to be reevaluated.

In the rat study researchers examined the effects of terbutaline and an insecticide called chlorpyrifos, which is known to have harmful neurological effects. Baby rats were exposed to terbutaline alone, chlorpyrifos alone or terbutaline followed by chlorpyrifos. A group of control rats were not exposed to either chemical. When given alone, each chemical caused long-lasting changes in the development of brain cells. What's more, terbutaline seemed to make the brain more sensitive to the effect of chlorpyrifos. As shown in rats that received both chemicals, the effect of the combined exposure was greater than the sum of the individual exposures. Children whose mothers were given terbutaline should be carefully evaluated for possible effects on intellectual and psychological development.

COMMENT