NORMAL PREGNANCIES MISDIAGNOSED AS ECTOPIC AND EXPOSED TO METHOTREXATE CATASTROPHIC
Study Results Shed Light On Need For Improved Diagnostic Tools
SAN DIEGO, CA –Researchers affiliated with the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) have found normal pregnancies misdiagnosed as ectopic and treated with methotrexate in the first trimester resulted in severely malformed newborns or fetal loss. OTIS is a North American non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as conducts relevant research.
Researchers examined eight North American women with normal pregnancies that had been erroneously diagnosed as having ectopic pregnancies, a condition in which the embryo begins to develop outside of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is non-viable and life threatening for the woman. Its treatment is generally a non-surgical termination of the non-viable ectopic pregnancy.
The suspected ectopic pregnancies examined in the report were subsequently treated with high doses of methotrexate, a known teratogen. As a result, the pregnancies resulted in either miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or severely malformed babies. The report was recently published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Study authors said these results may only be a small indication of a much bigger problem. “This report describes a subset of cases that occur in the general population and it suggests that this misdiagnosis is not limited to one center or one part of the United States or Canada,” said Sharon Lavigne, MS, a co-author of the study and coordinator of OTIS’ Connecticut affiliate. “There are likely many more of these scenarios out there that our services never hear about,” she added.
Myla Moretti, MSc, a co-author of the study who also serves as assistant director of Motherisk, OTIS’ Canadian affiliate, hopes the study will encourage positive change in the way ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed and treated. “This is a challenging diagnosis, and efforts to accurately locate the pregnancy in suspected early ectopic pregnancies would benefit from improved diagnostic tools,” explained Moretti. “Establishing non-punitive reporting mechanism to explore the magnitude of this problem will be helpful in increasing awareness and possibly preventing these events in the future.”
The Centers for Disease Control has recognized OTIS as the primary resource for medications in pregnancy information. Questions or concerns women or health care providers have about medications and other exposures in pregnancy or breastfeeding can be directed to OTIS counselors at (866) 626-6847 or by visiting OTISPregnancy.org.
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The Centers for Disease Control has recognized OTIS as the primary resource for medications in pregnancy information. Questions or concerns women or health care providers have about medications and other exposures in pregnancy or breastfeeding can be directed to OTIS counselors toll-free at (866) 626-6847 or by visiting OTISPregnancy.org.
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