Risk of Miscarriage With Use
of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs During Pregnancy
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are
medications that treat inflammation, pain, and fever. There are several
different types of NSAIDs. Some are available over-the-counter (aspirin,
ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen) and others can only be
obtained by prescription. A new study published in the August 16, 2003
British Medical Journal finds that prenatal use of NSAIDs and aspirin
increased the risk of miscarriage.
The study, based on a sample size of 1,055 pregnant
women, points to a five times more likely risk of a miscarriage in women
who took NSAIDs at the beginning of their pregnancies compared to women
who took them later in their pregnancies. According to the study, there is
an 80 per cent increase in the chance of a miscarriage in women who took
these NSAIDs at any point in their pregnancy. The researchers also found
that the risk increased when the drugs were used for longer than one week
but these risks were not affected by other factors such as drinking
alcohol or coffee.
Researcher De-Kun Li from the Kaiser Foundation
Research Institute in Oakland, California where the study was conducted
says that there was a "striking contrast" between the effects of
acetaminophen and that of NSAIDs in the results of this study.
This new study follows up on a study at the
University of Aarhus in Denmark in 2001 in which researchers examined
patients' medical records and the national birth registry. The team found
an association between miscarriages after 28 weeks and NSAID usage in the
weeks immediately before the miscarriage.
Pharmacologist Andy Gray of Natal University's
Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in South Africa suggests, "Women should
avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and not take
anything without consulting their doctor."
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