EVANS BLUE

Fetal Risk Summary

No reports linking the use of Evans blue with congenital defects have been located. The dye is teratogenic in some animal species (1). Evans blue has been injected intra-amniotically for diagnosis of ruptured membranes without apparent effect on the fetus except for temporary staining of the skin (2,3). The use of Evans blue during pregnancy for plasma volume determinations is routine (4,5,6,7 and 8). No problems in the fetus or newborn have been attributed to this use.

Breast Feeding Summary

No data are available.

References

1. Wilson JG. Teratogenic activity of several azo dyes chemically related to trypan blue. Anat Rec 1955;123:313–34.
2. Atley RD, Sutherst JR. Premature rupture of the fetal membranes confirmed by intraamniotic injection of dye (Evans blue T-1824). Am J Obstet Gynecol 1970;108:993–4.
3. Morrison L, Wiseman HJ. Intra-amniotic injection of Evans blue dye. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1972;113:1147.
4. Quinlivan WLG, Brock JA, Sullivan H. Blood volume changes and blood loss associated with labor. I. Correlation of changes in blood volume measured by I131-albumin and Evans blue dye, with measured blood loss. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1970;106:843–9.
5. Sibai BM, Abdella TN, Anderson GD, Dilts PV Jr. Plasma volume findings in pregnant women with mild hypertension: therapeutic considerations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1983;145:539–44.
6. Goodlin RC, Anderson JC, Gallagher TF. Relationship between amniotic fluid volume and maternal plasma volume expansion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1983;146:505–11.
7. Hays PM, Cruikshank DP, Dunn LJ. Plasma volume determination in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985;151:958–66.
8. Brown MA, Mitar DA, Whitworth JA. Measurement of plasma volume in pregnancy. Clin Sci 1992;83:29–34.