WHY ACE INHIBITORS ARE AVOIDED IN PREGNANCY
What are ACE Inhibitors
It is commonly prescribed for hypertension, heart disease and kidney disorders. Examples include Enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril etc…
General mechanism of ACE inhibitors
It blocks the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by inhibiting conversion of angiotensin I and angiotensin II
Normal fetal physiology
Angiotensin II is essential for the maintaining fetal blood pressure, supporting renal development, regulating fetal urine protection. Fetal urine need for the amniotic fluid in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Reason for ACE inhibitors avoided in pregnancy
While ACE inhibitors are administered by the pregnant women it can lead to the blockage of angiotensin II which is essential for the renal development, urine production in foetus and the blockage result in low amniotic fluid and it can cause the poor lung development, renal failure, fetal growth restriction.
MBH/PS