Recognition and management of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor fetopathy

Pediatr Nephrol. 1995 Jun;9(3):382-5. doi: 10.1007/BF02254221.

Abstract

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are extensively used for the treatment of hypertension, to decrease proteinuria, and to mitigate hyperfiltration. These drugs now have been shown to be fetotoxic causing profound fetal hypotension, renal tubular dysplasia, anuria-oligohydramnios, growth restriction, hypocalvaria, and death when used in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. We recommend that ACE inhibitors not be used in pregnancy. However, if a child is born with ACE inhibitor fetopathy, aggressive therapy with dialysis to remove the inhibitor may mitigate the profound hypotensive effects. Therapy will depend on the specific ACE inhibitor, and care recommendations cannot be generalized for the entire class of drugs as their protein binding and volume of distribution differ substantially.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Fetal Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / drug therapy

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors