Transplacental Effect of Tetracyclines on Teeth

PHYSICIANS are becoming increasingly aware that certain therapeutic agents (reserpine, cortisone acetate, vitamin K, sulfamethoxypyridazine, central nervous system stimulants, progesterone, propylthiouracil, busulfan, and thalidomide¹), while relatively safe for administration to pregnant women, may have adverse effects on the fetus. Recently the tetracycline group of drugs has been added to this list. Because of their broad antimicrobial spectrum and low toxicity, tetracyclines have been demonstrated to be of great value clinically. In pregnancy, they have been found to be valuable in the treatment of a variety of disorders and have been well tolerated. The placental transmission of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and chlortetracycline from maternal to fetal tissues was reported by Charles in 1954.²In this report no specific reference to adverseeffects on the fetus is made. In 1960, Gibbons et al³reported placental transmission of demethylchlortetracycline hydrochloride. In their report a definite statement is made that no harmful