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Anticancer Agent Gefitinib and Congenital Anomalies

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Fetal Medicine

Abstract

Congenital abnormalities caused by human teratogenic drugs account for less than 1% of total congenital abnormalities. We report the first case of multiple anomalies associated with antenatal exposure to the anticancer agent Gefitinib. The patient conceived while she was on tablet Gefitinib 250 mg once a day for stage IV adenocarcinoma of lungs. The first scan done at 29 weeks 2 days showed liquor amnii on the upper limit of normal, single umbilical artery, left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia, ventriculoseptal defect and left radial ray defect. The patient had a preterm delivery after one week and she refused autopsy. It is important to advise patients regarding contraception while undergoing chemotherapy as there is an increased risk of drug induced fetal malformations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and IVF, SRM Institutes for Medical Science, Chennai, 600026, India

    Madhura Joshi & P. M. Gopinath

  2. Dr.Rai Memorial Medical Centre and Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai, India

    K. Kalaichelvi

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  1. Madhura Joshi
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  2. P. M. Gopinath
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  3. K. Kalaichelvi
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Correspondence to Madhura Joshi.

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Joshi, M., Gopinath, P.M. & Kalaichelvi, K. Anticancer Agent Gefitinib and Congenital Anomalies. J. Fetal Med. 7, 289–293 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40556-020-00275-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40556-020-00275-2

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