In recent weeks, the FDA has recalled numerous hand sanitizers sold in the US to combat COVID 19. The recalls include formulations that contain wood alcohol or methanol, both of which can be toxic in high doses. Pregnant women, women planning a pregnancy, and those breastfeeding have been trying to stay safe from COVID, and now are finding that the products that they had been relying on may in fact be potentially harmful.

If used as directed on your skin, and not ingested, proper use of hand sanitizers should have little to no known increased risks to mom or baby. Even if those products did contain methanol or wood alcohol. Standard use is unlikely to pose significant concern. The only research on methanol in pregnancy is animal studies, which exposed rodents to much higher levels that would be typical of human exposure. The recall of hand sanitizers that contain methanol made mention of methanol poisoning in people who swallowed the sanitizer, but no reports of toxicity has been reported thus far in people who only used it on their hands. Additionally, no concerns have been reported related to pregnancy outside of maternal toxicity (making the mom sick).

These sites are helpful:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/coronavirus-covid-19-drugs/hand-sanitizers-covid-19
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/qa-consumers-hand-sanitizers-and-covid-19

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), the professional society that provides the MotherToBaby service, has released the following statement on anti-racism:

In light of the horrifying recent events taking place in our country, which is only the latest in a long history of violence against Black men, women, and children, we think as an organization it is important to state that diversity, equality, inclusion, and respect are of the upmost importance to OTIS. As a scientific and service organization dedicated to providing evidence-based information to parents, health care professionals, and the general public about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, we know the importance a diverse membership, who bring to OTIS a myriad of experiences, has in strengthening our organization and equipping us to help those from all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, mental or physical ability, age, gender identity or expressions, or sexual orientation are valued and welcome. There is no place for hatred, discrimination or injustice at OTIS or society as a whole.

Any form of systemic racism towards communities of color harm everyone and stain the claim that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are basic rights. It is our hope that we come together as an organization to demonstrate a powerful message of community, science, dignity, and respect.

March 23, 2020

LA JOLLA, CA –A new study conducted by birth defects research experts from the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) launches to examine the short and long-term effects of the novel COVID-19 virus in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The observational study will consist of phone calls over the course of volunteers’ pregnancies and post-delivery, and/or breastmilk samples, as well as a release of medical records related to the pregnancy and the infant’s development.

OTIS is the scientific non-profit society that provides the no-cost MotherToBaby information service and enrolls women through the MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies.

“Women and their health care providers need answers as quickly as possible regarding the effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy and while breastfeeding,” said the Principal Investigator, Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, OTIS/MotherToBaby president and professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego (pictured right). “We know that pregnant and breastfeeding moms are contracting COVID-19, but the fact of the matter is that we know very little about its short and long-term effects on a developing baby,” she added. “We hope pregnant women see the importance in helping the world understand this novel virus and consider volunteering for the study.”

The study is open to pregnant and breastfeeding women in the United States and Canada with known or suspected COVID-19 infection. The MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies Research Center is located at the University of California San Diego.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can enroll in the study at the following link https://mothertobaby.org/join-study/ or by calling MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies at (877) 311-8972. Learn more about the ongoing observational study at https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/coronavirus-covid-19/.

Health care providers can refer pregnant and breastfeeding patients with known or suspected COVID-19 infection at the following link https://mothertobaby.org/healthcare-professional-referral-form/ or by calling MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies at (877) 311-8972.

More about OTIS and MotherToBaby

The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) is a professional scientific society made up of individuals engaged in assessing and evaluating risks to pregnancy and breastfeeding from environmental exposures. Members include, but are not limited to, specialists in the fields of: obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, genetics, dysmorphology, perinatal epidemiology, teratology, behavioral teratology, pharmacy, genetic counseling, nursing, midwifery, maternal and child health, public health, and includes experts that provide MotherToBaby services and researchers that conduct MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies. MotherToBaby is a suggested resource by many federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To learn more about ongoing MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies, call (877) 311-8972, email MotherToBaby@ucsd.edu or visit www.MotherToBaby.org.

The study launched March 23, 2020. Interviews with Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH are now being scheduled. Interested media, please call 619-368-3259 or email nchavez@mothertobaby.org.

On March 3, join MotherToBaby, March of Dimes and dozens of organizations around the world for a World Birth Defects Day Twitter Chat. Ask questions about birth defects, pregnancy health and more. Include the hashtag #WorldBDDay in every tweet to take part!

Join MotherToBaby and partner organizations around the world for a special World Birth Defects Day Facebook and Instagram Live Chat March 3 at 10a PT/1p ET.

How to participate: Follow @MotherToBaby on Facebook or @mothertobabyotis on Instagram (or both). You might get a notification from Facebook or Instagram that the MotherToBaby page you follow is going live at the live broadcast start time. Alternatively, just go to MotherToBaby’s profile on either Facebook or Instagram at the broadcast start time (10a PT/1p ET). You can also get a reminder for the live event by clicking “going” on the Facebook event created for it: https://www.facebook.com/events/213655426471361/

On Facebook, the live video should just be playing at the top of MotherToBaby’s page. On Instagram, you will see a small badge around the story circles at the top of the screen that says “live.” Tap to enter the live stream. The person streaming will know that you are tuning in.

With either platform, once you are watching the live stream, you can comment or ask questions, the same way you’d engage with a non-live post. MotherToBaby’s president, Christina Chambers, PhD will be joined by Drs. Kenneth Lyons Jones, MD and Miguel Del Campo, MD to answer questions in English and Spanish about birth defects.