Chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects among couples with colchicine treated familial Mediterranean fever.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether colchicine prescribed for familial Mediterranean fever is teratogenic.


METHODS
Reproductive histories were analyzed from 326 couples referred for prenatal diagnosis because 1 partner was affected. Numbers of chromosomal abnormalities and birth defects were compared with numbers expected from published rates.


RESULTS
There were 901 pregnancies, and amniocentesis had been performed in 566, all but 3 conceived while taking colchicine. Seven numerical chromosomal abnormalities were found, not statistically significantly greater than the 4.99 expected from maternal age and gestation of diagnosis (P = .24): unbalanced structural abnormalities were 6, compared with 3.22 expected (P = .11). There were 7 birth defects, a considerably lower rate than reported in local malformation registers.


CONCLUSIONS
The current policy of routine amniocentesis in pregnancies of couples taking colchicine should not be changed until sufficient data accumulates to establish whether the higher number of chromosomal anomalies in this group is significant.
Berkenstadt
Michal
M
Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. mberken@sheba.health.gov.il
Weisz
Boaz
B
Cuckle
Howard
H
Di-Castro
Michal
M
Guetta
Esther
E
Barkai
Gad
G
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*
D003078:Colchicine