What impact does Warfarin have on infants if taken during pregnancy?

Warfarin, an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots, poses significant risks to infants if taken during pregnancy. The correct choice highlights that exposure to Warfarin during critical periods of fetal development can lead to various birth defects. In particular, it is associated with conditions such as microcephaly, which is characterized by an unusually small head size that can indicate developmental issues, and intellectual disabilities, which can affect cognitive functioning and learning in children.

This risk is primarily due to Warfarin's ability to cross the placenta and disrupt normal fetal development, particularly affecting the central nervous system. The timing of exposure during pregnancy is crucial, as certain developmental phases are more vulnerable to teratogenic effects than others. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to carefully manage anticoagulation therapy in pregnant patients to avoid these harmful outcomes for infants.