Jejunal atresia associated with Cafergot ingestion during pregnancy

Fetal vascular accidents have been suggested as one cause for jejunal atresia due to in utero interruption of the superior mesenteric arterial supply to the intestines. Experimental studies support this hypothesis, and ergotamine has been shown to be a teratogen in experimental animals as a consequence of its vasoconstrictive action. We report the occurrence of intrauterine growth retardation and jejunal atresia in an offspring of a woman who also experienced four spontaneous abortions. During each of six pregnancies, the mother had taken as many as eight Cafergot tablets daily. We raise the hypothesis that Cafergot (1 mg ergotamine tartrate and 100 mg caffeine) might represent a vascular disruptive teratogenic agent during pregnancy. This hypothesis is supported by the clinical association of nonduodenal intestinal atresia with other defects that have a disruptive vascular etiology.