Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Birth Defects Linked to Coumadin | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
I need to know if the use of Coumadin before and during pregnancy can cause the fetus/infant to have poor/weak bone structure. And also any other side effects.— Bonnie in Bethany, Oklahoma | | | ANSWER |
May 23, 2001 | | | Dear Bonnie,
Coumadin (which is the brand name for the blood thinner warfarin) is not safe to take in pregnancy because it can cause fetal warfarin syndrome. Fetal warfarin syndrome is a combination of birth defects that includes abnormal x-rays of the bones, deformities of the nose, vision problems and developmental delay. This syndrome develops in 15-25 percent of fetuses that are exposed to warfarin in the first trimester.
The good news is there are safe medications, including heparin, which can be substituted for warfarin by women who need to take an anti-coagulant during their pregnancy.
Since the greatest risk of taking warfarin is between the six and nine weeks gestation period, some doctors recommend switching to a safer medication in preparation for becoming pregnant rather than waiting for the positive pregnancy test. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you.— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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