Exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy was not linked with a raised risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis, no evidence of an elevated risk for low birth weight, preterm birth, or small for gestational age was reported in pregnant females exposed to acetaminophen in the 3rd trimester. This study was carried out to determine the impact of acetaminophen (the most commonly used drug to alleviate fever and pain in pregnancy) usage during pregnancy on selected adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Investigators explored the databases for identifying studies that reported the influence of acetaminophen exposure during pregnancy on low birth weight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age. Utilizing the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, the quality of studies was evaluated.
With the aid of a fixed or random-effects model, estimation of risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals was done. For the final review, 6 studies (4 cohort and 2 case-control studies) were incorporated. There was no elevated risk of preterm birth (Risk ratio [RR] 0.97). Additionally, reduced risks of low birth weight (RR 0.65) and small for gestational age (RR 0.69) were witnessed. In terms of outcomes, acetaminophen use during 3rd trimester revealed non-significant differences.
Thus, acetaminophen use during pregnancy doesn't seem to raise the risk of deleterious pregnancy outcomes. But, there is a lack of relevant information concerning exposure dose and frequency of acetaminophen usage.
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
Effect of Acetaminophen use during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Caroline T Castro et al.
Comments (0)