Diabetic embryopathy is a theoretical enigma and a clinical challenge. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetic pregnancy carry a significant risk for fetal maldevelopment, and the precise reasons for the diabetes-induced teratogenicity are not clearly identified. The experimental work in this field has revealed a partial, however complex, answer to the teratological question, and we will review some of...

The management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in pregnancy represents a medical challenge. The advent of new antithrombotic agents that do not cross-react with platelet factor 4 and heparin antibodies represents an important progress, and they are of utmost interest in special situations such as early pregnancy, a situation where the teratogenicity of warfarin precludes its use.

Despite potential side effects dominated by teratogenicity and peripheral neuropathy, thalidomide has recently been used to treat severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Over 50 patients have been treated across several 6-12 month open studies. Altogether 68% of the patients improved and the drop-out rate was 19%. Inhibition of NF-kappaB and/or TNFalpha is a putative mechanism for thalidomide effic...

Seven patients with optic nerve hypoplasia, born of epileptic mothers, are presented. All the mothers took anticonvulsants during pregnancy. The possibility that maternal anticonvulsant therapy may play a role in the genesis of optic nerve hypoplasia is discussed in the light of what is known about the teratogenicity of these agents.