Pregabalin does not Cause Midline Closure Defect but is not as Innocent as It is Thought

• Published in: Turkish neurosurgery Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 594 - 600
• Main Authors: Secinti, Kutsal Devrim, Eken, Recep, Secinti, İlke Evrim, Yuksel, Kasim Zafer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2021
• ISSN: 1019-5149
• DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.30907-20.1

AIMTo investigate the effects of pregabalin on neural tube closure, and other potential effects on other organ systems in a chick embryo model. MATERIAL AND METHODSFertilized chicken eggs were divided into groups, and different doses of pregabalin was administered. All embryos were harvested in the 8th day of incubation, and investigated both macroscopically and microscopically against any developmental malformations caused by Pregabalin. RESULTSMacroscopically not any malformations were detected but macrosomia was statistically significant in medium and high dose groups. Microscopically, vertebral lamina ossification was delayed in some embryos in high dose group but not interpreted as midline closure defect and also not statistically significant. Decrease in the number of renal glomerulus and increase in the tubular damage was statistically significant in medium and high dose groups. Cardiomegaly was also found in some embryos in middle and high dose groups but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONThe use of pregabalin does not cause neural tube closure defect in the embryo unless not exceed recommended maximum dose. Causing macrosomia instead of developmental retardation by Pregabalin is in conflict with the literature. This study revealed that Pregabalin causes fetal nephrotoxicity and macrosomia. These findings indicate that the use of Pregabalin in pregnancy still needs to be accounted as suspicious.