) An audiologist, Mrs Akanchawa Emmanuel, has warned pregnant women against self-medication.
Emmanuel gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Benin.
She said that taking certain drugs without medical supervision during pregnancy could damage a baby’s developing hearing system and cause permanent hearing loss.
She noted that some antibiotics and anti-malaria drugs could have ototoxic effects, meaning they could damage the auditory system.
According to her, some anti-malaria drugs containing quinine can affect hearing if taken without medical supervision. Symptoms such as ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears should not be ignored.
“The ear begins developing early during pregnancy, with the outer, middle and inner parts forming at different stages.
“Exposure to harmful substances during critical periods of development can interfere with the formation of these parts and, in some cases, result in abnormalities such as an underdeveloped outer ear.
“Some medications taken without professional guidance can interfere with the development of the auditory system and may result in hearing challenges in children after birth,” she warned.
The audiologist also explained that hearing loss in children could affect speech development, because children learn to communicate through hearing and imitating sounds.
“The way you hear is the way you speak. A child who cannot hear properly may not develop speech because speech comes from what we hear and imitate,” she added.
She noted that some women engage in self-medication because of easy access to over-the-counter drugs, perceived lower costs and advice from informal drug sellers.
She also noted that some pregnant women rely on previous experiences with medications or herbal preparations without understanding their possible effects during pregnancy.
She therefore advised pregnant women to register for antenatal care immediately after confirming pregnancy, as well as consult healthcare professionals before taking any medication.
She also urged parents to ensure hearing screening for newborns to identify possible hearing challenges early and provide timely intervention.
Meanwhile a study involving 1,200 pregnant women in Benin found that while many expectant mothers use prescribed medicines such as folic acid, some take anti-malaria drugs without prescription, while other use native herbs during pregnancy.
The study highlights the need for increased awareness of safe medication practices during pregnancy.(NAN)
