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Published on: October 24, 2019
Visual neurophysiological dysfunction in infants exposed to hydroxychloroquine in utero
F Renault1, R Flores-Guevara, C Renaud
1Unité de neurophysiologie clinique, Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. francis.renault@trs.aphp.fr
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 9, 2009
Summary
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use in pregnancy may affect infant vision. Some infants exposed to HCQ in utero showed electroretinogram abnormalities and delayed visual evoked potentials, indicating potential neurophysiological visual disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antenatal exposure to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is generally considered safe for fetal development.
- Limited neurophysiological data exists on visual function in infants exposed to HCQ in utero.
- Connective tissue diseases often require HCQ treatment during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate retinal and visual pathway function in infants exposed to hydroxychloroquine during gestation.
- To utilize electroretinogram (ERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) for neurophysiological assessment.
- To investigate potential visual disturbances in infants born to mothers treated with HCQ for connective tissue diseases.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-one infants (3-7 months) were assessed between 2002 and 2007.
- Full-field electroretinograms (ffERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded using flash stimulation.
- Analysis focused on ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes/latencies and P100 VEP latency.
Main Results:
- Electroretinogram abnormalities were identified in six infants.
- Four of these infants also exhibited delayed visual evoked potentials.
- These findings suggest potential neurophysiological alterations in visual pathways.
Conclusions:
- Early ERG and VEP testing revealed visual neurophysiological disturbances in a subset of infants exposed to hydroxychloroquine antenatally.
- Systematic clinical and neurophysiological vision assessments are recommended during childhood.
- This monitoring is crucial for detecting long-term consequences of prenatal HCQ exposure.
