Exposure to Terbinafine is Associated with Abnormal Skin Development in The Newborn Rats

This study was designed to investigate teratogenic effects of prenatal terbinafine exposure in newborn rats in terms of macroscopic anomalies, anthropometric scales and abnormalities in the skin development. Female Wistar-Albino rats (250–300 g) were randomly divided into control group (physiological saline, during pregnancy; n=6), group A (terbinafine treatment, 20 mg/kg/day, for 21 days; n=6), group B (terbinafine treatment, 20 mg/kg/day, for 51 days; n=6) and group C (terbinafine treatment, 60 mg/kg/day, for 21 days; n=6). After birth, Five rat pups from each experimental group were sacrificed by intracardiac infusion of 10% formalin. Skin biopsies were performed from the abdominal region and prepared for light microscopic analysis. Hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, disordered epidermal cell lineage were demonstrated in all terbinafine doses with increase in severity at higher doses. Damage to hair follicles was observed in group B and C. In conclusion, during pregnancy, terbinafine application time and dose-dependent can cause abnormalities of the skin and growth retardation in newborn rats.