Transplacental Passage of Erythromycin and Clindamycin

TLDR

Prescribing antibiotics to penicillin‑allergic pregnant women is problematic because of potential adverse effects and uncertainty about transplacental delivery, and while erythromycin is a common alternative, its fetal concentrations may be insufficient and clindamycin’s transplacental passage is poorly understood. The study was designed to demonstrate whether erythromycin and clindamycin cross the placenta. No additional information provided.

Abstract

PRESCRIBING antibiotics for pregnant women allergic to penicillin frequently presents a problem because of potential adverse effects — to mother or fetus — and uncertainty of transplacental delivery of antibiotic. Passage of drug into the fetus may or may not be desired.Erythromycin is a good alternative to penicillin for many infections, but it has been suggested that it does not reach the fetus in sufficient concentrations to prevent congenital syphilis.1 Little information on the transplacental passage of clindamycin, which has a spectrum of activity similar to that of erythromycin, is available. The present study was designed to demonstrate whether . . .