Benadryl is compatible with pregnancy, but using it near delivery may cause what in the newborn?

• A. It is compatible with pregnancy, but near delivery may cause neonatal withdrawal.
• B. It is contraindicated in pregnancy.
• C. It has no known effects on the newborn.
• D. It causes permanent developmental delay.

Answer: (A)

Exposure to medications late in pregnancy can affect the newborn because many drugs cross the placenta and the infant must cope with the drug after birth when it clears from the baby’s system. Diphenhydramine crosses the placenta, and when it’s used near delivery, the newborn may experience withdrawal-like symptoms as the drug wears off. This can show up as irritability, feeding difficulties, tremors, sleep disturbances, yawning, sneezing, or other signs of distress in the first days after birth. So, while Benadryl is generally considered compatible with pregnancy, near delivery it can lead to neonatal withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. The other statements don’t fit because this medication is not categorically contraindicated, it is not known to cause permanent developmental delay, and there can be effects on the newborn with late-pregnancy use.