A paediatrician was called for attending a new born baby in the labour ward. The serum unconjugated bilirubin of this baby was 33 mg/dL. Which of the following drug taken by mother in late 3rd trimester may have lead to this problem?
Cotrimoxazole
Azithromycin
Ampicillin
Chloroquine
Bilirubin given in question is very high; Bilirubin binds to Albumin in blood, so when any drug displaces bilirubin from albumin, it can lead to increased free bilirubin. Cotrimoxazole is a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (a sulfonamide). Sulfonamides (acidic drugs) can displace bilirubin from albumin resulting in excessive free bilirubin. This can cross blood brain barrier in newborn babies which can cause Kernicterus; hence avoided in pregnancy.