title: Accidental use of low-dose 5-fluorouracil in pregnancy.
abstract: Five percent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an antineoplastic agent, is often applied to the lower genital tract in the treatment of vaginal and vulvar human papillomavirus infections. Little is known regarding possible teratogenic effects from its topical use in pregnancy. Five cases of antenatal lower genital tract 5-FU use were correlated with pregnancy outcome. Topical 5-FU was applied up to 16 weeks' gestation. Intravaginal doses ranged from 1 to 2.5 g; one patient applied 5-FU to the vulva. Antenatal ultrasound performed on four patients did not show any fetal structural abnormalities. One patient underwent antenatal genetic amniocentesis that detected a 47,XXX complement of chromosomes. All the pregnancies continued without complications and with subsequent term delivery of healthy infants. The unwitting vaginal and vulvar use of 5-FU in pregnancy did not result in significant morbidity or mortality; expectant management of such pregnancies should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill 27599.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Le
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pizzuti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil