Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
09:04
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods
Published on: September 10, 2018
Medication effects on midtrimester maternal serum screening
Dawn M Pekarek1, Victoria R Chapman, Cherry L Neely
1Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|September 19, 2009
Summary
Certain medications taken during pregnancy can alter Quad screen test results, potentially affecting the accuracy of screening for chromosomal abnormalities. This study highlights the importance of considering medication use when interpreting these prenatal tests.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The Quad screen is a common prenatal screening test for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Medication use during pregnancy is prevalent and can potentially interfere with biochemical markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between medication classes and alterations in Quad screen analyte concentrations.
- To determine if medication use impacts the overall screen-positive rate for chromosomal abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 6206 women with singleton gestations.
- Data on prescription medication use and Quad screen results were analyzed.
- Analyte multiples of the medians and screen-positive rates were compared between medication users and controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in mean analyte multiples of the medians were observed in women taking certain medications.
- An increased screen-positive rate was found in women using specific medication classes.
- 1337 women used at least one prescription medication, while 4869 served as controls.
Conclusions:
- Medications used around the time of maternal serum screening are associated with changes in individual analyte levels.
- Medication use can influence the screen-positive rates of the Quad test, necessitating careful interpretation.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:23Upper 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...
01:29Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is the clinical practice of measuring specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to manage and optimize therapy. TDM is crucial for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows, like warfarin and phenytoin, where incorrect doses can lead to treatment failure or severe side effects. This monitoring ensures the dosage administered is within a safe and effective range. The factors affecting therapeutic drug monitoring include:Patient-Specific Factors:a.
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...