Maternal Use of Anticoagulants or Hemostatic Drugs and Infant Congenital Malformations

Coumarin derivatives have a known teratogenic effect but are relatively seldom used in early pregnancy nowadays. An association exists between maternal use of either anticoagulants or hemostatic drugs and a relatively severe malformation, notably a cardiovascular defect, in the offspring. This association is probably the result of a confounding by indication: a coagulopathy or a bleeding disorder.