A study involving researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and Copenhagen University Hospital suggests that the use of azole-based antifungal medicines during pregnancy may be associated with changes in foetal hormone production, with effects persisting in children after birth. The findings are published in Communications Medicine.
The researchers analysed data from 589 Danish mother–child pairs. Their findings were supported by laboratory experiments using human foetal adrenal tissue and studies in pregnant rats.
The study found that children whose mothers used antifungal medicines during pregnancy had altered levels of adrenal hormones three months after birth. Although the hormone levels remained within the normal range, the results suggest that foetal development may have been affected. Adrenal hormones help regulate many functions in the body, including glucose metabolism, blood pressure, immune function, growth, and reproductive development.
Notably, 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 emphasise that the study cannot directly establish that azole-based antifungal medicines cause the hormonal changes observed in children, nor can they conclude that commonly used antifungal medicines are harmful. However, the results highlight the need for further research into the safety of widely used antifungals during pregnancy.
Source: Mola G 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
