Motherisk News: Motherisk launches PregTox Network

Motherisk launches PregTox Network

Toronto - PregTox at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada is a unique clinical and research program, developed and launched on the 20th anniversary of the Motherisk program. Its aim is to promote evidence-based practice on the risk, management and outcome of poisoned pregnant women and their offspring.

Acute and chronic exposure of pregnant women to toxins is substantial, with over 6000 acute poisoning cases reported annually in the United States alone. Despite the fact that there are 2 patients involved, both mother and fetus, very limited attention has been given to this important issue in the medical literature. Any delay in appropriate treatment of the pregnant woman may result in morbidity and mortality of both mother and fetus. Moreover, fetal mortality can occur despite maternal recovery. Intoxications in pregnancy occur for a number of reasons. Deliberate self-poisoning is the most common method of suicide attempt in pregnancy, and may stem from a desire to terminate pregnancy. Recreational drug abuse is another type of toxic exposure. In addition, accidental or unintentional intoxications in pregnancy may occur.

The Goals of PregTox are:

• To provide authoritative, evidence-based information, to assist healthcare professionals in treating poisoned pregnant women and their fetuses
• A commitment to collect and publish the data gathered regarding poisonings in pregnancy

Poison Information Center healthcare professionals and Teratology Information Specialists around the world are invited to join the new network.

For more information on the PregTox network or to discuss cases of poisoning in pregnancy, please contact:

Yaron Finkelstein, MD at yfinkel@yahoo.com
Phone: 1-800- 670-6126
Fax: 1-416-813-7562