Hello,
Welcome to the AMD forum and we are glad to help you out. I can understand your confusion regarding the use of
topical steroid during pregnancy. Halog0.1% is a topical corticosteroid which is a FDA category C drug. It
means that adverse effects have been detected in animal studies, but not yet in human studies. Since it is a
potent corticosteroid, it has been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on teratogenic effects. It is advisable
not to be used extensively on pregnant patients, in large amounts, or for prolonged periods of time. However
since you have applied it once by mistake, so now we can only get regular screenings done to look out for any
deformities. Various clinical trials have shown that potent topical corticosteroids can cause low birth weight
babies. So to diagnose it early regular screening should be done. Various tests are done at different
trimesters to check out any birth defects, blood tests being one of them. Apart from that, an ultrasound
examination called nuchal translucency screening (NTS) can give an idea about birth defects if any. If any
abnormality is found in these tests then a detailed ultrasound examination is done at 18 weeks gestation.
Usually combination of the above mentioned tests is sufficient to detect any birth defect or low birth weight.
In case any doubt is there, then detailed ultrasound exam, Amniocentesis(procedure in which a small amount of
amniotic fluid and cells are withdrawn from the sac surrounding the fetus and tested) and chorionic villous
sampling(procedure in which a small sample of cells from the placenta is tested) can be done. My advice is to
get regular follow ups and screening done from your gynecologist. I hope it helps. Take care and please do
keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.
