Researchers have called for a reassessment of medical advice on analgesic use during pregnancy after a new study published in BMJ Open found that pregnant women using over-the-counter analgesics are about 1.5 times more likely to have a baby with health issues.
The study found elevated risks for preterm delivery, stillbirth or neonatal death, physical defects and other problems compared with the offspring of mothers who did not take such medications.
Between 30% and 80% of women globally use non-prescription analgesics in pregnancy for pain relief. However, there is presently great variation in evidence for safety of use during pregnancy, with some drugs considered safe and others not.
“We would encourage a strong reinforcement of the official advice for pregnant women.”
Aikaterini Zafeiri, first author of the study
The study analysed data from more than 151 000 pregnancies over 30 years (1985–2015) which contained medical notes for non-prescribed maternal consumption of five common analgesic. These were paracetamol, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen – either as single compounds or in combinations.
Overall, 29% of women have taken over-the-counter analgesics during pregnancy, a figure which more than doubled to 60% during the last seven years of the 30-year study period.
When asked specifically at their first antenatal clinic visit, as opposed to later in pregnancy or after labour, 84% of women using painkillers reported use during the first 12 weeks after conception. However, the duration and dose of use and medical reason for use were not recorded.
Nevertheless, given that up to 60% of women reported using over the counter analgesics, they could not all have underlying medical conditions that would cause the increased risks seen in this study.
The study found increases in the following:
- Neural tube defects: 64% more likely.
- Admission to a neonatal unit: 57% more likely.
- Neonatal death: 56% more likely.
- Premature delivery before 37 weeks: 50% more likely.
- Baby’s condition at birth based on APGAR score of less than 7 at five minutes: 48% more likely.
- Stillbirth: 33% more likely.
- Birthweight under 2.5 kg: 28% more likely.
- Hypospadias, a birth defect affecting the penis: 27% more likely.
First author of the paper, Aikaterini Zafeiri of the University of Aberdeen said: “In light of the study findings, the ease of access to non-prescription painkillers, in combination with availability of mis-information as well as correct information through the internet, raises safety concerns.
“This is especially when mis-informed or partially-informed self-medication decisions are taken during pregnancy without medical advice.
“It should be reinforced that paracetamol in combination with NSAIDs is associated with a higher risk and pregnant women should always consult their doctor or midwife before taking any over-the-counter drugs. We would encourage a strong reinforcement of the official advice for pregnant women.”
Source: University of Aberdeen
