Steroids used to treat infertility may lead to birth defects

Steroids used to treat infertility may lead to birth defects
While steroids are increasingly used to treat infertility in women suffering from repeated IVF failure and recurrent miscarriage, they can actually have harmful effects on pregnancy and the child, says a study.

‘The immune system plays a critical role in reproduction and fertility. Natural killer cells and other immune cells help to build a robust placenta to support healthy fetal growth. But if we suppress or bypass the body’s natural biology, there can be dire consequences that don’t appear until later,’ she added. For example, suppression of the immune system through inappropriate use of these drugs is linked to impaired placental development, which in turn elevates the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and birth defects, Robertson said. ‘We argue that unless overt immune pathology is evident, utilisation of corticosteroids is not warranted and may be harmful,’ the study, published in the journal Human Reproduction , noted. ‘The exception would be in specific cases where the patient has a diagnosed autoimmune condition, but those cases are rare,’ Robertson observed. (Read: Did you know consuming neem leaves can lead to male infertility?)

Source: IANS

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