Does Jadelle cause birth defects?
Extensive epidemiological studies have revealed no increased risk of birth defects in the children of women who have used oral contraceptives before pregnancy. Studies also fail to suggest a teratogenic effect, particularly insofar as cardiac anomalies and limb-reduction defects are concerned, when oral contraceptives are used inadvertently during early pregnancy. There is no evidence suggesting that the risk associated with Jadelle or Norplant use is different from the risk associated with oral contraceptives. There were no reports of birth defects for the live births that occurred during use of Jadelle in clinical trials. However, in postmarketing use of Norplant capsules, congenital anomalies have been reported in the offspring of women who used the method inadvertently during early pregnancy. A cause and effect relationship has not been established. If a woman becomes pregnant while using Jadelle, the rods should be removed immediately.
