ACE Inhibitors already have black box warnings from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) about possible birth defects if the mother takes the drugs during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. See Drug Warnings: ACE Inhibitors Side Effects and Risks for more information on FDA warnings.

A recent study published in the June 8, 2006 issue 23 of The New England Journal of Medicine reported an increased rate of birth defects in babies born to mothers who had prescriptions for ACE Inhibitors filled during the first trimester of pregnancy. The study was conducted under the direction of William Cooper of the pediatrics department of the Vanderbilt University medical school.

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Approximately 3% of the babies studied were born with birth defects, but around 7% of babies exposed to ACE Inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy. The results showed that babies exposed during the first trimester time had 2.7 times as great a risk of developing major congenital malformation.

Commentators emphasize that the study doesn’t prove that ACE Inhibitors cause birth defects, but the results are serious enough to raise concern. Sandra Kweder, deputy director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, "I think what's most important about the study is that it just brings to light the importance of women carefully reviewing medication information with their health care providers before becoming pregnant or as soon as they become pregnant, and being aware of the potential risks of certain medicines."

Check out the following articles for more information about ACE Inhibitors, filing an ACE Inhibitors lawsuit and finding an ACE Inhibitors attorney.

• For more information about ACE Inhibitors, see Drug Overview: ACE Inhibitors Side Effects and Claims
• For more information about ACE Inhibitors side effects, see ACE Inhibitors Side Effects – Birth Defects
• To find out more about the FDA warning, see ACE Inhibitors Side Effects and Risks
• If you would like to learn more about ACE Inhibitors lawsuits, see ACE Inhibitors Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
• To learn more about ACE Inhibitors attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a ACE Inhibitors Attorney and Lawyer

Suffered harm from ACE Inhibitors? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.