Immunosuppressive drugs and the foetus.

Two infants born to mothers who had been given a renal transplant and who were receiving azathioprine and prednisone have been followed up for over 2 years. Initially both had lower than normal lymphocyte counts and cortisol levels. Chromosomal aberrations similar to those found in the lymphocytes of the mothers were present at birth but had disappeared by 32 and 20 months, respectively. The significance of these findings is discussed.