Hyperthyroid Drugs Linked to Risk of Birth Defects

Two common drugs for treating hyperthyroidism were linked to birth defects when used in early pregnancy, though they have differing effects, researchers said. In an analysis of Danish national data, infants born to mothers taking propylthiouracil (PTU) early in pregnancy had about a 50% higher risk of birth defects, and those taking methimazole (MMI) had a 75% greater risk than children born to women in the general population not taking the drug, Peter Laurberg, MD, of Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark, and colleagues reported at the Amerian Thyroid Association meeting. Read the full story