Calls on reproductive and developmental toxicants to a regional poison center

We sought to characterize calls received by a regional Poison Center concer ning reproductive hazards and to assess the quality of the responses. Data was extracted for a 3 mo period from all calls regarding reproductive or in utero developmental effects. The Poison Center responses were evaluated ba sed on completeness of information gathered and final recommendations made. Two hundred seventy-one calls regarding 335 products were received. Ninety -seven percent of the calls concerned exposures during a pregnancy. Fifty-n ine percent of the substances of concern were drugs; 32% were other chemica ls; 7% were biological agents. Eleven percent of the exposures were occupat ional; 22% were environmental. Thirty-four percent of the exposures had not yet occurred. Sixty-two percent were characterized as no or minimal risk. Far 13% of exposures, callers were advised to avoid initiating or continuin g the exposure. Callers were referred to physicians or specialty services f or 11% of exposures. The majority of responses were felt to be appropriate. Problematic areas included inconsistent advice and lack of referral. Discu ssion of exposures in light of other risk factors for and background rates of adverse reproductive outcomes, as well as more frequent referral to a sp ecialist with expertise in reproductive toxicology was recommended.