Medication use in pregnancy: a cross-sectional, multinational web-based study

Abstract

ObjectivesIntercountry comparability between studies on medication use in pregnancy is difficult due to dissimilarities in study design and methodology. This study aimed to examine patterns and factors associated with medications use in pregnancy from a multinational perspective, with emphasis on type of medication utilised and indication for use.DesignCross-sectional, web-based study performed within the period from 1 October 2011 to 29 February 2012. Uniform collection of drug utilisation data was performed via an anonymous online questionnaire.SettingMultinational study in Europe (Western, Northern and Eastern), North and South America and Australia.ParticipantsPregnant women and new mothers with children less than 1 year of age.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of and factors associated with medication use for acute/short-term illnesses, chronic/long-term disorders and over-the-counter (OTC) medication use.ResultsThe study population included 9459 women, of which 81.2% reported use of at least one medication (prescribed or OTC) during pregnancy. Overall, OTC medication use occurred in 66.9% of the pregnancies, whereas 68.4% and 17% of women reported use of at least one medication for treatment of acute/short-term illnesses and chronic/long-term disorders, respectively. The extent of self-reported medicated illnesses and types of medication used by indication varied across regions, especially in relation to urinary tract infections, depression or OTC nasal sprays. Women with higher age or lower educational level, housewives or women with an unplanned pregnancy were those most often reporting use of medication for chronic/long-term disorders. Immigrant women in Western (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.55, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.87) and Northern Europe (aOR: 0.50, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.83) were less likely to report use of medication for chronic/long-term disorders during pregnancy than non-immigrants.ConclusionsIn this study, the majority of women in Europe, North America, South America and Australia used at least one medication during pregnancy. There was a substantial inter-region variability in the types of medication used.

Utilização de medicamentos antes e durante a gestação: prevalência e fatores associados

“…Quanto ao uso de medicamentos durante a gestação, em países como França, Canadá, Estados Unidos e Brasil, foi verificado que mais de 80% das mulheres utilizam algum tipo de medicamento nesse período 13,14,15,16 , entretanto se observa uma grande variação no perfil do uso entre os países, bem como nas características maternas associadas a esse uso 15,16,17,18,19 . Alguns medicamentos recomendados para prevenção de problemas associados à gestação, incluindo ácido fólico, sulfato ferroso e vitaminas, certamente contribuem para essa alta prevalência 15 .…”

“…Alguns medicamentos recomendados para prevenção de problemas associados à gestação, incluindo ácido fólico, sulfato ferroso e vitaminas, certamente contribuem para essa alta prevalência 15 .…”

Prenatal Exposure to Acetaminophen and Risk of ADHD

“…Reports have suggested that acetaminophen is used by ∼65% to 70% of pregnant women in the United States and by ∼50% to 60% of pregnant women in western and northern Europe. 1,2 Acetaminophen crosses the placenta and can be traced in the infant's urine after prenatal exposure. 3 In 2013, researchers conducting a sibling comparison in a large, population-based Norwegian birth cohort study suggested that prenatal acetaminophen use for 28 or more days was associated with poorer motor and communicational development and externalizing problems (ie, inattentiveness and aggression) in offspring.…”

Characteristics of health behaviours and health status indicators among pregnant women in Slovenia

“…Estimates of the usage prevalence of at least one prescription medication during pregnancy range from less than 30 % to over 90 % of women (3). In multinational study that collected data in years 2011-2012, 71.1 % of participating women reported use of medication during pregnancy (OTC and/or prescribed medication) in Slovenia (5). The safety of medication use during pregnancy is frequently unclear because, for the majority of medications, there is a lack of sufficient data available to fully characterise the foetal risk.…”