Botox can cause birth defects

Sydney, January 30: Scientists have warned those beauty conscious ladies who undertake the Botox treatment at regular intervals to enhance their beauty, as the chemical is quite lethal and can cause birth defects.

Even though Botox is the most toxic protein known, it is still widely used in minute or major quantity for a number of cosmetic treatments in an isolated and a processed form. Mainly, Botox is employed for the anti-wrinkle treatments.

As per recent statistics, an estimated amount of $300 million has been spent on non-invasive cosmetic treatments like laser hair removal and Botox. This data shows tremendous popularity of cosmetic treatments, which include anti-wrinkle treatments commonly involving Botox.

Using Botox in recommended quantity is very essential to stay away from its ill effects, the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia (CPSA) stressed. Sticking to national guidelines for using Botox is of vital importance both for the patient and the cosmetician.

The CPSA's Dr Gabrielle Caswell, stated, "Botulinum toxin should not be prescribed to pregnant women and we advise our members to strictly follow these guidelines..Botulinum toxin has a long history of efficacy and a robust safety profil, however there are some circumstances, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, glaucoma and neuromuscular disease where it is not an appropriate medication."

In 2005, a woman gave birth to a deaf and blind baby, that was later found out to be an after-effect of an anti-wrinkle treatment, which the lady took during her pregnancy, CPSA said.

In the 2005 case, the lady was reportedly given an injection of muscle-relaxant in the cosmetic treatment. She took the treatment in the first month of her pregnancy. Botulinum type A toxin drug called Dysport was given to her in the treatment.

According to Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration, botulinum type A toxin can have 46 different side-effects and birth defect is one of these 46 side-effects.

It is important that if a woman considering undertaking any kind of beauty treatment that involves the use of botox, she must consult an expert or a recognized cosmetician, Caswell said. He also emphasized that such treatments should be taken only from recognized and registered institutes.

"There is information posted on the internet, primarily from other countries where health regulation standards may not be equal to Australia’s. It is important that women who are, or may be, pregnant realize that the health of the foetus ought to be of paramount concern," Caswell said.