Risk of intrauterine growth retardation, malformations and other birth outcomes in children after topical use of corticosteroid in pregnancy

  1. Helle Mygind1,3,
  2. Ane Marie Thulstrup1,4,
  3. Lars Pedersen1,
  4. Helle Larsen1,2

Article first published online: 8 APR 2002

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.810308.x

Issue

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Volume 81, Issue 3, pages 234–239, March 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mygind, H., Thulstrup, A. M., Pedersen, L. and Larsen, H. (2002), Risk of intrauterine growth retardation, malformations and other birth outcomes in children after topical use of corticosteroid in pregnancy. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 81: 234–239. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2002.810308.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    From the Departments of Clinical Epidemiology and

  2. 2

    Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital and Aalborg Hospital, Denmark, the

  3. 3

    Department of Paediatrics, Randers Hospital, Randers, Denmark and the

  4. 4

    Department of Environmental Health, Galberg Hospital, Denmark

*Address all correspondence to: Ane Marie Thulstrup Department of Clinical Epidemiology Vennelyst Boulevard 6 uilding 260 DK-8000 Aarhus C Denmark

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 APR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 8 APR 2002
  3. Submitted 13 August, 2001Accepted 16 August, 2001

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Keywords:

  • epidemiology;
  • malformations;
  • pregnancy;
  • topical corticosteroid

Background. Topical corticosteroids are frequently used drugs, but little is known of the exposure during pregnancy and birth outcome.

Methods. In a population-based follow-up study restricted to primigravida women, we examined the risk of low birth weight, malformations and other birth outcomes following pregnancy upon exposure to topical corticosteroids. We compared the offspring of 363 women exposed to topical corticosteroids during pregnancy with 9263 controls, who received no prescriptions at all.

Results. The prevalence of malformations was 2.9% among 170 infants exposed during the first trimester and 3.6% among the controls. Adjusted odds ratios for low birth weight, malformations and preterm delivery among women receiving weak/medium strong corticosteroids were 0.7 (95% CI 0.17–2.85), 0.93 (95% CI 0.23–3.80) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.56–1.92), respectively, and adjusted odds ratios for strong/very strong corticosteroids were 1.23 (95% CI 0.45–3.37), 0.56 (95% CI 0.14–2.28) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.54–1.84), respectively.

Conclusions. The study showed no increased risk of low birth weight, malformations or preterm delivery in the offspring of women exposed to topical corticosteroid during pregnancy.

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