Fluconazole-induced congenital anomalies in three infants

Clin Infect Dis. 1996 Feb;22(2):336-40. doi: 10.1093/clinids/22.2.336.

Abstract

Fluconazole has been associated with various teratisms in animals, including craniofacial ossification defects, thin, wavy ribs, and renal pelvis defects. We describe three infants born to women who were receiving fluconazole through or beyond the first trimester of pregnancy. All of the infants had congenital anomalies; no other drug was implicated. Only one of the three infants survived. Their anomalies, similar to those observed in animal studies, were largely craniofacial, skeletal (i.e., thin, wavy ribs and ossification defects), and cardiac. One of these infants was previously reported as having Antley-Bixler syndrome; however, given the chronology described herein and the similarity of this infant to the others, we conclude that her deformities also represent the potent teratogenic effect of fluconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone and Bones / abnormalities
  • Coccidioidomycosis / drug therapy
  • Face / abnormalities
  • Female
  • Fluconazole / adverse effects*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Skull / abnormalities

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole