Abstract

TABOADA LUGO, Noel; LARDOEYT FERRER, Roberto; LOPEZ CARDENAS, Manuel S.  and  ARCAS ERMESO, Gretsy. Use of drugs during pregnancy and its possible teratogenic effect. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3038.

A descriptive study was conducted at Esperanza health area, Ranchuelo muncipality, Villa Clara province. 82 pregnant women recruited between October 2002 and March 2003 were included. Our purpose was to describe the most frequent health problems in pregnant women, as well as drug prescription and its possible relation to the presence of congenital defects in the offspring. Upper respiratory infections and anemia were the commonest health problems. The most frequently prescribed drugs were prenatal pills, ferrous fumarate, ascorbic acid, folic acid and tetanus toxoid. Most of the prescriptions were made by family physicians and the selfmedication level was low in the studied pregnant women. No relation was found between the drugs used during pregnancy and the appareance of congenital defects in the descendants.

Keywords : Pregnancy; drug prescription; teratogens; primary health care.