Unilateral renal agenesis and urethral atresia associated with ergotamine intake during pregnancy

Ren Fail. 2012;34(5):643-4. doi: 10.3109/0886022X.2012.668156. Epub 2012 Mar 15.

Abstract

Ergotamine, an ergot alkaloid, used for the treatment and prevention of migraine attacks, is considered as a teratogenic drug and, therefore, should be avoided in pregnancy. Here, we report a newborn infant with unilateral renal agenesis, urethral atresia, and pulmonary hypoplasia associated with the use of ergotamine for the treatment of migraine attacks at early pregnancy. Genitourinary anomalies in association with ergotamine usage were rarely reported and this was the third case of renal agenesia in association with ergotamine usage in literature. We suggest that ergotamine teratogenicity may be dose dependent and should be avoided in pregnancy for the possibility of genitourinary anomalies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Congenital Abnormalities / diagnosis
  • Ergotamine / administration & dosage
  • Ergotamine / adverse effects*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kidney / abnormalities
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced
  • Kidney Diseases / congenital*
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Migraine Disorders / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy

Substances

  • Ergotamine

Supplementary concepts

  • Hereditary renal agenesis