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Background&Objective: Acetaminophen is a drug that is used commonly in the all time of pregnancy as a antipyretic and analgestic. The aim of this study was to determine teratogenic effects of this drug when it is used continuously before and during pregnancy. Materials&Methods: 210 virgin female Balb/c mice in a standard animal house condition were assigned in to three experimental groups and three period of time (30 mice in the each of I and II experimantal groups and 60 in III experimental group): The first experimental group subdivided in to three I10, I20, I30 subgroups that received acetaminophen once daily at dose 40mg/kg/day by gavage in 10, 20 and 30 days prior to gestation and early 10 days of pregnancy, respectively. The second experimental group divided like the previous group (II10, II20, II30) but received 40 mg/kg/day of this drug twice daily (80 mg/kg/day). The third experimental group (III10, III20, III30) received 80 mg/kg/day of acetaminophen with and without 0.14 mg/kg/day of folic acid. Mice in Control groups, received normal saline and base of drug respectively. After using standard coupling method (three female mice with one male and determination of Gestational day 0) in GD18 the dams were sacrificed and the fetuses were removed. Macroscopic observation was done by stereomicroscope. ANOVA and TUKEY tests were used by the help of 10 version of SPSS software. Results: Long consumption of acetaminophen in doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg/day in the 20 and 30 days before pregnancy and 10 days after pregnancy can induce shortened and asymmetrical limbs and hand aplasia. In addition, ekymosis and fetal resorption were seen.16.1%, 6.5% and 14% of fetuses were malformed in the I30, II20 and II30 groups, respectively. Also, 11.3%, 4.9% and 12.4% of fetuses in these same groups had limb defects. In the III20 and III30 groups that fetuses used folic acid and drug at the same time, rate of malformations reduced to 1.6% (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is recommended pregnant women not to take acetaminophen atleast a month before pregnancy and in case of taking this drug the folic acid to be accompanied.

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Background and Objective: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug that causes significant malformations such as neural tube defects (NTDs), cardiac, skeletal and craniofacial defects if it is consumed during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of folic acid on prevention of birth defect due to Carbamazepine in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Sixty Balb/c timed-pregnant mice were divided into 4 experimental and 2 control groups. Two experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) and 60 mg/kg/body weight (group II) of CBZ on gestational days (GD) 6 to 15. Two other experimental groups (group III and IV) received similar doses of CBZ with folic acid supplement (3 mg/kg/day) by gavages route for 10 days before pregnancy and 15 days after GD0 (gestational day 0). Two control groups received normal saline or Tween 20 (polysorbate 20). Dams underwent cesarean section on GD18 and embryos were collected. External examination was done and data concerning malformations, weight and crown- rump of fetuses were collected and analyzed by using SPSS-11.5 software and ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups I and II were significantly reduced. Also in both experimental groups I and II various malformations were detected such as open eyes, limb defects, scoliosis, facial deformity and NTDs. The mean weight and crown-rump of fetuses in the folic acid treated groups did not show any meaningful differences in comparison with fetuses in experimental groups I and II. Also, meaningful reductions in eye, vertebral, limb and facial defects were seen in fetuses of group III. In experimental group IV, reduction of vertebral and limb defects were observed. Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of folic acid (3 mg/kg/body weight) before and during pregnancy can reduce birth defects due to CBZ in Balb/c mice fetus.

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Background and Objective: The incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) is varied according to race, geographical situation and other predisposing factors. This study was carried out to determine the incidence rate of NTDs and its risk factors in Yasuj, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case - control study was done on live newborns in Imam Sajad hospital, Yasuj, Iran during 2000-10. 78 neonates with NTDs out of 36755 live newborns were considered as cases. The control group was also consisting of the same number of healthy neonates who born at the same period and in the same hospital. Data were collected by a check-list and analyzed using SPSS-19, Chi-Square, Logistic regression and odd’s ratio. Results: The incidence rate of NTDs was 2.12 per 1000 live births. Anencephaly and Spina Bifida was detected in 59 (75.6%) and 19 (24.3%) of affected newborns, respectively. The ratio of females to males was 1.5 times. 53.85% of mothers with affected newborns were grouped in 27-36 years age range. The mean number of pregnancies and abortion between two groups of mothers had no statistical significant differences. There is no significant relation between the mothers occupation and the incidence of NTDs. 10 (12.8%) of mothers from case group and 7 (8.97%) of mothers from control group have used tobacco. 52 (66.7%) of mothers of case group and 30 (38.5%) of controls did not consumed folic acid. The relation between non-user folic acid during pregnancy with NTDs was significant (95% CI: 1.4-6.15, OR=2.93, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed relatively high incidence of NTDs in Yasuj. Non-consuming folic acid increased the risk of NTD by 2.93 times.