Medicine That Caused Birth Defects In The 60s
The 1960s marked a significant period of transformation in the field of medicine. Several new drugs were introduced to the market, and pharmaceutical companies were in a race to bring more drugs to the market to combat various diseases. However, the lack of strict regulations and oversight led to the marketing and distribution of drugs that had harmful side effects, including birth defects in infants. This article will explore some of the medicines that caused birth defects in the 60s, how it happened, and what measures were taken to prevent it from happening again.
Thalidomide
Thalidomide is probably the most infamous drug that caused birth defects in the 60s. It was marketed as a sedative for pregnant women to alleviate morning sickness. However, it was later discovered that it caused severe birth defects in infants, such as limb and organ abnormalities. The drug was pulled from the market in 1961, but not before it had caused birth defects in approximately 10,000 children worldwide.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic form of estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women to prevent miscarriages. However, it was later discovered that it caused vaginal and cervical cancers in the daughters of the women who took the drug during pregnancy. It also caused testicular cancer in the sons of these women. DES was prescribed to approximately five million pregnant women in the US alone, and its side effects were not discovered until the 1970s.
Thyroid Medications
Thyroid medications were prescribed to pregnant women in the 60s to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive. However, it was later discovered that the medication caused congenital hypothyroidism in infants, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. This condition can cause mental retardation and stunted growth. The medication was later reformulated, and the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism decreased.
Conclusion
The 60s were a time of great change and experimentation in the field of medicine. While many new drugs were introduced to combat various diseases, the lack of strict regulations and oversight led to the marketing and distribution of drugs that had harmful side effects, including birth defects in infants. The events of the 60s led to the establishment of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the marketing and distribution of drugs in the US today. However, it is important to remain vigilant and ensure that the drugs we take are safe and effective, especially during pregnancy.