[Effect of phenobarbital on neural tube and skeletal development in rats during pregnancy]

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Phenobarbital is a anti epileptic drug [AED]. FDA has classified this drug as a D group and pregnant women who take this drug under appropriate conditions may have neonates with congenital malformations e.g. hypoplasia of finger or toe nails and digital phalanges, facial and skull deformities and cardiac malformations. Some of the case reports showed severe malformations for this drug such as fetal hydantoin and down syndromes