Author(s)

Brian Benjamin, Marcus Schamberger, Eric Ebenroth

Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

A female at 28 weeks gestation was referred to pediatric cardiology for a fetal arrhythmia. The echocardiogram revealed premature constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Her work up was unremarkable except for her use of an herbal supplement, grape seed extract, which is advertised as a potent anti-inflammatory medication, and has biochemical properties similar to other medications that have been shown to cause premature ductal constriction. The use of herbal remedies increases each year. Although the public is inundated with radio, television, and internet advertisements for these products, little unbiased information regarding the possible dangers of toxicity or adverse reactions exists. As physicians, we need to be aware of these products, and counsel our patients accordingly.

Grape Seed Extract, Prenatal Medications, Ductus Arteriosus, Cardiology, Herbal Remedies

Benjamin, B. , Schamberger, M. and Ebenroth, E. (2016) Grape Seed Extract and the Fetal Ductus Arteriosus: A Potential Danger of a Common Herbal Supplement. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7, 685-689. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2016.710074.