Paternal exposure to methotrexate and pregnancy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk of major malformation in the case of paternal exposure to methotrexate (MTX) at the time of conception.


METHODS
Using prospective data of our Teratology Information Service, we analyzed outcomes of paternal MTX exposure at the time of conception or up to 3 months before conception.


RESULTS
We report on the outcomes of 42 pregnancies involving 40 men treated with MTX at the time of conception. Twenty-three men were treated for an inflammatory disease (54.8%), 9 for psoriasis (21.4%), and 8 for a malignant disease (19.0%). Weekly dosages varied between 7.5 mg and 30 mg. The pregnancies resulted in 36 live births, 3 spontaneous abortions, and 3 voluntary abortions. No congenital malformation was observed at birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results and case reports in literature, paternal MTX exposure at the time of conception does not seem to raise any major concern for offspring.
Centre de Référence sur les Agents Tératogènes (CRAT), Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Groupe Universitaire Est, Paris, France.
Delphine
D
Beghin
Marie-Pierre
MP
Cournot
Catherine
C
Vauzelle
Elisabeth
E
Elefant
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018812:Paternal Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D008727:Methotrexate