title: Taking ACE inhibitors during early pregnancy: is it safe?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  I knew that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were risky to use during late pregnancy because they can cause renal shutdown in the fetus. Recently I heard of a study that claimed first-trimester exposure (when many patients still are unaware of their pregnancies) can also cause major malformations. Is this proven?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A recent study did suggest an increased risk of malformations after first-trimester exposure to ACE inhibitors among women treated for hypertension. We believe this study had serious limitations that preclude drawing any conclusions at present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Marian J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents