Effects of Prolifen on Pregnancy & Multiple Pregnancies

Amongst the 2269 full-term pregnancies previously reported in mothers treated with Prolifen (clomiphene citrate), the birth of 58 babies with congenital malformations has been reported. The malformations reported were:

  • Congenital heart defects (8)
  • Down’s syndrome (5)
  • Club foot (4)
  • Congenital defects of the intestines (4)
  • Hypospadias (3)
  • Microcephaly (2)
  • Hare-lip and cleft palate (2)
  • Congenital dislocation of the hip (2)
  • Haemangioma (2)
  • Retained testis (2)
  • Polydactylia (2)
  • Siamese twins with teratomatous malformations (patent arterial duct, amaurosis (blindness), arteriovenous fistula, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, syndactyli, apectus excavatum, myopathy, dermoid cysts of the scalp, omophalocele, occult spina bifida, ichthyosis; persistance of lingal frenula), multiple somatic malformations (7)

Eight neonates out of the entire group of 58 were born from 7 of the 158 mothers who underwent a cycle of Prolifen (clomiphene citrate) during the first 6 weeks after conception. Moreover, the following conditions were reported for which there was no demonstration of the cause and effect:

  • 4 cases of capsular cataract (in experimental studies)
  • One case of detachment of the posterior vitreous body
  • One case of retinal arteriospasm
  • One case of thrombosis of the temporal retinal arteries
  • 8 cases of cystic moles

It has been proved that Prolifen (clomiphene citrate) markedly increases the incidence of multiple pregnancies. Therefore the patient and her husband must be warned of this possibility and of the potential risks associated with multiple conceptions.

Related Links