DRUG-DELIVERY DURING PREGNANCY - EVALUATION IN-VITRO OF NEW DRUGS

Indications for the treatment of the pregnant woman fall into three ge neral categories: mother and infant require treatment, only the mother should be treated, or only the infant. Directing therapy towards the affected subject is an important aspect of good care, although it is n ot the only one. It is argued that a rational selection of the appropr iate drug can be made without endangering mother or infant, with the a id of select laboratory investigations, including placental perfusion, and a knowledge of placental physiology. Examples are presented to su pport this contention. The intra-amniotic administration of drugs is b riefly discussed. A plea is made to develop drugs that are designed sp ecifically for use during pregnancy.