Birth Defects of Accutane

by Alice

Hormonal acne is a major problem faced by women even in their late 20's or
30's. When ever hormonal changes occur in our body, people get acne mostly. Due
to hormonal imbalance, our body produces more sebaceous glands then needed
which results in clogged pores that is a main reason of acne. Hormonal acne can
be mild, moderate or sever. Mild acne can be treated with over the counter
products or prescription medications, but sever acne which is commonly cystic
acne is only treated with accutane. Due to its sever side effects, it is given
under high monitoring. Most sever side effect besides high depression is birth
defects in fetus.

There is a strict guide lines for prescribing accutane. A doctor should discuss
everything with patient like its side effects and precautions while using this
medicine. It is strictly prohibited for mild or moderate acne. But it is
observed that doctors are prescribing accutane where it is not needed. It is
strongly recommended do not prescribe it if a patient is not resistent to other
treatments. The complete course take 10 to 15 weeks to heal acne. Some people
may observe minor break outs even after this course and some have to continue
this course for another 3 or 4 months.

Dermatologists should give pregnancy test before a month of starting this
treatment. If it appears negative then prescribe two different types of
contraceptives. Plus regular pregnency test should be taken through out the
treatment. As it is said that birth deformities occur in first three month
specially in first few weeks when women do not know that they are pregnant.


Which type of birth deformities it causes?


its links to severe fetal brain and heart defects, mental retardation, and
other birth abnormalities. 25% of children born to women who were on accutane
have birth defects including brain and nervous system damage, hydrocephalus;
microcephaly, mental retardation; heart defects; ear and eye abnormalities;
cleft lip and palate; and other facial abnormalities.


Many pregnancies end in a abortion because people do not want any deformities
in their child. Women who get pregnant while using very low dose of accutane
are at a great risk of having a baby with sever facial birth defects malformed
thymus glands, and mental retardation.


AS accutane is a derivative of vitamin A, it is recommended that do not take
food rich in vitamin A with accutane or during pregnancy as it will be harmful
for new born baby. Fortunately, because it is a naturally occurring product,
the body is able to quickly remove Accutane from the bloodstream. It is gone
from the blood within nine days and has no lasting effect on future
pregnancies. Thats why it is recommended not to get pregnant after a month
completing this treatment. In fact there is strict guideline from the
manufacturers in accutane to follow to reduce side effects of this treatment.

About the author:

Alice has been an expert in skin health writing specifically on the subject of
acne. Her work has been published on various websites and magazines and
provides insightful advise for skin diseases, home remedies for acne skin
regimes etc.For more articles on acne and its Causes please visithttp://www.naturalacneremedy.com/