Antifungal use during pregnancy shows link to altered hormone levels in babies

by Technical University of Denmark

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

Gaby Clark

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Robert Egan

Senior Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

Many pregnant women develop fungal infections, which are often treated with widely used azole-based antifungal medicines. A new study involving researchers from the DTU National Food Institute and Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet) suggests that the use of these medicines during pregnancy may be associated with changes in fetal hormone production, with effects persisting in children after birth.

However, the researchers do not yet know whether the differences they have identified will affect the children's health or their ability to have children later in life. The study is published in the journal Communications Medicine.

The researchers analyzed data from 589 Danish mother–child pairs. Their findings were supported by laboratory experiments using human fetal adrenal tissue and studies in pregnant rats, in which the researchers examined both blood and adrenal tissue from the rat fetuses.

The study found that children whose mothers used antifungal medicines during pregnancy had altered levels of adrenal hormones three months after birth.

"It is striking that the use of azole-based antifungals during pregnancy appears to affect adrenal hormone levels in children long after birth. Although the hormone levels remained within the normal range, the results suggest that fetal development may have been affected," says Terje Svingen, a professor at the DTU National Food Institute.

Adrenal hormones help regulate many functions in the body, including glucose metabolism, blood pressure, immune function, growth and reproductive development.

Gylli Mola, a researcher and medical doctor at Rigshospitalet, elaborates, "This is particularly noteworthy because the treatments were primarily over-the-counter topical preparations, such as creams and vaginal tablets, which have traditionally been considered safe to use during pregnancy."

The researchers therefore believe that the safety of widely used antifungals during pregnancy warrants further investigation.

Monica Kam Draskau, a researcher at the DTU National Food Institute, has worked on the analyses of the experimental studies.

"The fact that the findings in children are supported by results from both human fetal adrenal tissue and experiments in rats strengthens our hypothesis that there is a link with the use of azole-based antifungal medicines," she says.

The study cannot directly establish that azole-based antifungal medicines cause the hormonal changes observed in children, nor can the researchers conclude from the study that commonly used antifungal medicines are harmful to children. However, the results highlight the need for further research into the safety of widely used antifungals during pregnancy.

Publication details

Gylli Mola et al, Prenatal antifungal exposure disrupts fetal steroidogenesis and is associated with persistent effects in children, Communications Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s43856-026-01815-z

Journal information: Communications Medicine

Key medical concepts

Pregnancy

Clinical categories

PregnancyObstetrics & gynecologyEndocrinologyClinical pharmacologyReproductive health Provided by Technical University of Denmark Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Antifungal use during pregnancy shows link to altered hormone levels in babies (2026, October 6) retrieved 6 October 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-antifungal-pregnancy-link-hormone-babies.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.