The first review on prenatal drug exposure and ocular malformation occurrence

Charlotte Dubucs1,2, Julie Plaisancié3, Monique Courtade-Saidi1

  • 1Département d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, Toulouse, France.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|September 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal medication exposure can cause congenital eye defects, even when genetic causes aren't identified. This review highlights medications linked to ocular malformations in humans and animals, emphasizing the need for vigilance and prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Teratology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Congenital eye anomalies often lack a clear genetic etiology.
  • Prenatal medication exposure is a known factor in fetal malformations.
  • Medications can specifically disrupt embryonic eye development, causing defects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and explore the role of medications in the genesis of ocular malformations.
  • To evaluate the underestimated impact of prenatal medication exposure on eye development.
  • To provide a clinical tool for identifying medication-associated risks.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of medications linked to ocular malformations in humans.
  • Review of medications causing ocular malformations in animal models.
  • Summarization of findings in tabular format for clinical use.

Main Results:

  • Identified human medications associated with congenital eye defects.
  • Detailed animal model studies of medication-induced ocular malformations.
  • Highlighted that many associations are based on old or single case reports.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal medication exposure is a significant, potentially modifiable risk factor for congenital eye anomalies.
  • There is a need for increased epidemiological vigilance and accurate clinical descriptions.
  • Combined human genetic and experimental studies are crucial for understanding these risks and implementing preventive measures.

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