EXPOSURE TO PRESCRIBED DRUGS IN PREGNANCY AND ASSOCIATION WITH CONGENITAL-MALFORMATIONS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (3) , 336-344
Abstract
In a case-control (N [number] = 1427 and 3001, respectively) study of [human] deliveries in Connecticut [USA], the incidence of congenital malformations was 52/1000 live births. Of all mothers, 44.5% used at least 1 prescribed drug during pregnancy. Case mothers were more likely than controls to have used a prescription drug (odds ratio [o] = 1.3; P < 0.0001), particularly an antidepressant (o = 7.6), narcotic analgesic (o = 3.6) or tranquilizer (o = 2.3): P < 0.01 for all associations. There was a synergistic relationship with tranquilizer use and smoking in pregnancy, resulting in an o = 3.7 (P < 0.01) risk for those exposed to both. The synergistic relationship of tranquilizers-cigarettes with malformations supports existing pharmacologic research and suggests that epidemiologic study of the impact of simultaneous maternofetal exposure to environmental agents may further explain the etiology of some congenital malformations.

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