Article Abstract:
A computer-automated algorithm that evaluates chemical structures may be capable of identifying chemicals that could be toxic to human fetuses. Researchers developed the MULTICASE (multiple computer-automated structure evaluation) algorithm to identify which of 60,000 chemicals in commercial use may be toxic to developing fetuses. MULTICASE identified 17 chemical structural features that could potentially be toxic to developing humans. The database and the predictive ability of MULTICASE had high internal and cross validity. Only 5% of the 60,000 commercial use chemicals have been actually evaluated.
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Article Abstract:
The antiparasitic drug mebendazole is probably safe to use in pregnant women with pinworm infections if used at the recommended dosage. This was the conclusion of researchers who analyzed data on 192 pregnant women from the Israeli Teratogen Information Service. All of the women had taken mebendazole during their first trimester. The rate of birth defects was no higher than in the general population.
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Article Abstract:
According to a registry developed by Glaxo Wellcome, acyclovir, lamotrigine, and sumatriptan do not increase the risk of birth defects. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug, lamotrigine is used to treat epilepsy and sumatriptan is used to treat migraine.
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