ABSTRACT
We recently performed a detailed anatomicopathologic examination on an aborted human embryo whose mother had taken four tablets of Tedral (one tablet of Tedral contains 130 mg theophylline, 25 mg ephedrine, 8 mg phenobarbital) for an upper respiratory tract infection when the embryo was at approximately 30 days of development. On the same day, the mother developed acute chest pain and a fast, irregular heart beat. The abortion occurred at approximately 80 days of gestation. The heart of the fetus showed truncus arteriosus (Van Praagh type A1). Although no direct cause and effect relationship was proven in this case, the possibility of a teratogenic effect of Tedral during early pregnancy is considered.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced , Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects , Ephedrine/adverse effects , Phenobarbital/adverse effects , Theophylline/adverse effects , Truncus Arteriosus, Persistent/chemically induced , Abortion, Spontaneous/chemically induced , Adult , Drug Combinations/adverse effects , Female , Fetal Growth Retardation/chemically induced , Fetal Heart/pathology , Humans , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Truncus Arteriosus, Persistent/pathologyABSTRACT
Nineteen patients with aniridia and one patient with bilateral iris colobomata from eight families were examined for corneal abnormalities. Thirty-six eyes revealed changes that are consistent with a progressive corneal dystrophy. These changes begin in the corneal periphery in the early years of life and progress to the corneal center with increasing age. This dystrophy has been staged into four typical clinical patterns. Central corneal scarring, and in some cases, ulceration may occur, which may be a significant threat to vision.
