The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7416 p270
2 September 2006

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NSAIDs in early pregnancy associated with birth defects

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of congenital birth defects, a study published online suggests (Birth Defects Research [Part B], 23 August 2006).

Records from medical services databases in Quebec, Canada, showed that more women who had an NSAID prescription dispensed during the first trimester had babies with congenital abnormalities than those who did not (adjusted odds ratio 2.21, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.72–2.85). The authors confirmed that congenital abnormalities relating to cardiac septal closure were positively associated with the use of NSAIDs in early pregnancy (3.34, CI 1.87–5.98). The data also reveal a significant association between prescriptions for ibuprofen in the first trimester and congenital abnormalities overall (P<0.01).