Corticosteroids
These dermatology workhorses are largely safe in pregnancy, Dr. Murase said. Some very early reports suggested that systemic cortisone might be associated with oral clefts, but that has never been borne out in prospective data. Prednisone may be the safest as it has the most limited placental transport; betamethasone and dexamethasone cross the placenta easily.
In a Cochrane review, only one study showed an increased risk of orofacial clefts. A 2013 study of about 10,000 women suggested an increased risk of low birth weight associated with a total dose of more than 300 grams during the pregnancy.