Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessing Teratogenic Changes in a Zebrafish Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
10:07

Assessing Teratogenic Changes in a Zebrafish Model of Fetal Alcohol Exposure

Published on: March 20, 2012

Possible teratogenicity of sulphasalazine

N M Newman, J F Correy

    The Medical Journal of Australia
    |May 28, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Sulfasalazine use during pregnancy may be linked to major congenital anomalies in infants. This study suggests potential teratogenic effects, challenging previous assumptions about its safety in expectant mothers with inflammatory bowel disease.

    Area of Science:

    • Perinatology
    • Developmental Toxicology
    • Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management during pregnancy presents challenges.
    • Sulfasalazine is a common treatment for IBD, but its safety profile in pregnancy requires ongoing evaluation.

    Observation:

    • Three infants born to mothers treated with sulfasalazine throughout pregnancy exhibited major congenital anomalies.
    • These anomalies included cardiac defects (coarctation of the aorta, ventricular septal defect) and severe renal and pulmonary malformations (Potter-type IIa polycystic kidney, absent kidneys, hypoplastic lungs).

    Findings:

    • The observed congenital anomalies in infants suggest a potential teratogenic effect of sulfasalazine.
    • This finding contrasts with some previous reports and warrants further investigation into the drug's developmental toxicity.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians should carefully consider the risks and benefits of sulfasalazine during pregnancy.
    • Further research is crucial to confirm the teratogenicity of sulfasalazine and explore safer alternatives for IBD management in pregnant individuals.

    More Related Videos

    Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation17:28

    Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

    Published on: June 17, 2015

    Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells05:45

    Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

    Published on: October 10, 2025

    Related Concept Videos

    Teratogenicity01:07

    Teratogenicity

    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...
    Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions01:14

    Drug Metabolism: Phase II Reactions

    Phase II reactions are essential for the detoxification and elimination of drugs from the body. These reactions involve the conjugation of parent drugs or their phase I metabolites with endogenous molecules, resulting in more hydrophilic drug conjugates. The primary conjugation reactions in this phase are sulfation and glucuronidation. Both sulfation and glucuronidation typically produce biologically inactive metabolites. However, in some cases involving prodrugs, active metabolites may be...
    Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

    Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

    Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation. 
    Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase01:27

    Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

    Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
    Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction01:30

    Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction

    Drug–drug interactions can precipitate toxicity through multiple mechanisms. Absorption interactions alter how drugs enter the body, exemplified when ranitidine increases the absorption of basic drugs, while cholestyramine decreases the levels of propranolol. Protein binding interactions occur when drugs share the same binding sites on plasma proteins. Drugs like aspirin and warfarin, when bound in excess, can lead to increased free drug concentrations, enhancing the potential for...
    Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Sulfonylureas01:17

    Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Sulfonylureas

    Sulfonylureas are oral hypoglycemic agents utilized in treating type 2 diabetes. They are characterized by their unique sulfonylurea chemical structure. The family of sulfonylureas is divided into generations. First-generation sulfonylureas, including tolbutamide (Orinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and tolazamide (Tolinase), trigger insulin release from pancreatic β cells and enhance peripheral tissues' insulin sensitivity. The second-generation members, such as glipizide (Glucotrol),...