An aborted human fetus with truncus arteriosus communis--possible teratogenic effect of Tedral

We recently performed a detailed anatomicopathologic examination on an aborted human embryo whose mother had taken four tablets of Tedral (one tablet of Tedral contains 130 mg theophylline, 25 mg ephedrine, 8 mg phenobarbital) for an upper respiratory tract infection when the embryo was at approximately 30 days of development. On the same day, the mother developed acute chest pain and a fast, irregular heart beat. The abortion occurred at approximately 80 days of gestation. The heart of the fetus showed truncus arteriosus (Van Praagh type A1). Although no direct cause and effect relationship was proven in this case, the possibility of a teratogenic effect of Tedral during early pregnancy is considered.