Question 66

Mothers who took the drug thalidomide during their pregnancy most often had babies who were born with deformed limbs.

Thalidomide exposure during pregnancy is primarily associated with the development of limb deformities in infants, a condition known as phocomelia. This tragic outcome was a direct result of the drug's teratogenic effects, leading to severe malformations in the developing fetus.

A) Deformed limbs

This option is correct as thalidomide is infamously known for causing severe limb deformities in children born to mothers who used the drug during pregnancy. The drug interfered with normal limb development, resulting in physical abnormalities such as shortened or absent limbs.

B) Nearsightedness

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is a refractive error that does not correlate with thalidomide use during pregnancy. While certain medications can have ocular side effects, thalidomide is not linked to causing nearsightedness in infants.

C) Intellectual disabilities

Although thalidomide is known for its physical effects, it is not directly associated with causing intellectual disabilities. While any prenatal drug exposure can carry risks, the primary concern with thalidomide is its impact on limb development rather than cognitive function.

D) Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder related to blood clotting and is not caused by thalidomide exposure. This condition is hereditary and unrelated to the teratogenic effects of thalidomide on fetal development.

E) Frequent infections

Frequent infections are not a characteristic outcome of thalidomide exposure. While infants may have health issues related to various factors, the specific teratogenic effects of thalidomide do not include an increased susceptibility to infections.

Conclusion

In summary, the correct answer is that thalidomide is most notably associated with causing deformed limbs in infants born to mothers who took the drug during pregnancy. All other options fail to reflect the specific and documented effects of thalidomide, underscoring the drug's notorious legacy in prenatal medicine.