Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Women's perspectives on counseling about risks for medication-induced birth defects
Aimee K Santucci1, Melanie A Gold, Aletha Y Akers
1Center for Research on Health Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Summary
Women desire comprehensive counseling on medication-induced birth defects from healthcare providers. They prefer discussions initiated at prescription, regardless of pregnancy plans, for informed reproductive health decisions.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
- Patient Counseling
Background:
- Medication use during reproductive years presents risks for birth defects.
- Current counseling practices may not fully meet women's information needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore women's experiences with counseling on medication-induced birth defects.
- To understand women's preferences for receiving this information from healthcare providers.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing four focus groups with 36 women of reproductive age.
- Grounded theory approach with content analysis by three independent coders.
Main Results:
- Women rely on healthcare providers for teratogenic risk information but find it often incomplete.
- Participants desire proactive discussions about medication risks at prescription.
- Clear information on all fetal outcomes and factors like privacy and trust are crucial for effective counseling.
Conclusions:
- Routine discussions about teratogenic medication risks at the time of prescription can improve counseling.
- Enhanced communication strategies are needed to support informed reproductive health choices.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:28Drug Therapy
The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Antianxiety Medications
01:26Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...