Transplacental Passage of Azidocillin, Ampicillin and Penicillin G during Early and Late Pregnancy

Abstract

The levels of azidocillin, ampicillin and penicillin G in maternal serum, fetal serum and amniotic fluid after oral or intramuscular administration were studied in 169 pregnant women during the first trimester in connection with legal abortion and in 398 women at termination of pregnancy. Samples for penicillin assay were obtained 1–20 hours after the administration. In the maternal serum peak levels of all 3 penicillins were found 1–2 hours after the administration of the penicillins. It was found that the penicillin compounds were transferred to the fetus and to the amniotic fluid reaching therapeutic levels except in the amniotic fluid in the first trimester.