Atenolol and short umbilical cords.
Umbilical cord length may be a function of fetal movement. Agents that cause decreased fetal movement may cause short umbilical cords. This investigation examined the effect of the beta-blocker atenolol on umbilical cord length in rabbits. Fetuses of rabbits treated with atenolol had significantly shorter cords than control animals (p less than or equal to 0.0005). Since short cords are associated with problems in labor, low Apgar scores, and abruption, we recommend careful surveillance of mothers and fetuses who are given beta-blocking agents in the first 30 weeks of pregnancy.
D000818:Animals; D001262:Atenolol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D012306:Risk; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*
D001262:Atenolol