Inter-Regional Epidemiological Study of Childhood Cancer (IRESCC): childhood cancer and the consumption of debendox and related drugs in pregnancy

Br J Cancer. 1985 Dec;52(6):923-9. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1985.278.

Abstract

Attention has recently focused on the possible teratogenic effects of the combination antiemetic doxylamine succinate, dicyclomine hydrochloride and pyridoxine hydrochloride (Debendox/Bendectin) prescribed to pregnant women. The Inter-Regional Epidemiological Study of Childhood Cancer (IRESCC), a case-control investigation has analysed data derived from interview reports and medical records of 555 mothers of children (under 15 years) with cancer and 1110 mothers of matched control children. Separate analyses of interview reports and medical records both suggested that antiemetic ingestion during the index pregnancy does not increase the risk of developing childhood malignant disease in the exposed foetus. No dose-response relationship was evident. The lack of any significant relative risks held good for diagnostic sub-groups and when the trimester of ingestion was considered. Our results suggest that antimetics of this type are unlikely to be transplacental carcinogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiemetics / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / adverse effects*
  • Dicyclomine / adverse effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Doxylamine / adverse effects*
  • Drug Combinations / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Pyridines / adverse effects*
  • Pyridoxine / adverse effects*
  • Risk

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Drug Combinations
  • Pyridines
  • dicyclomine, doxylamine, pyridoxine drug combination
  • Dicyclomine
  • Doxylamine
  • Pyridoxine