Limb deformity in a newborn. Is rifampicin just an innocent bystander?

Objective: The first-line antituberculous agents for use during pregnancy have minimal teratogenic effects. The possibility of limb deformity during rifampin use, however, was reported by some researchers.

Case Report: A male newborn was born with a hypoplastic right forearm to a mother with tuberculosis who used isoniazid and rifampicin in the first two months of her pregnancy.

Conclusions: The limb anomaly in our case might be attributed to rifampicin usage during the first 2 months of pregnancy. Caution should be given with regard to possible congenital malformations which could be associated with the treatment of pregnant women with antituberculous drugs.