Which anti-TB drug is specifically avoided in pregnant women with drug-sensitive tuberculosis because of fetal auditory nerve damage?

• A Isoniazid
• B Ethambutol
• C Pyrazinamide
• D Streptomycin ✓

Explanation

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside that crosses the placenta and damages the fetal eighth cranial nerve, causing congenital deafness, so it is contraindicated in pregnancy. The standard first-line regimen used safely in pregnancy consists of isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol, with pyrazinamide added per national programme policy since its risk is considered acceptable. The key fact tested is the selective ototoxic hazard of streptomycin to the fetus.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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