Professor Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) Feira de Santana, Brazil
Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used by pregnant women through prescription and self-medication to treat pain and chronic diseases. Approximately 11% of Brazilian women use NSAIDs during pregnancy. However, these drugs can pose risks to the mother and fetus as they cross the placenta and are widely distributed in the fetus and amniotic fluid
Objectives: To investigate the association between the use of NSAIDs during pregnancy and preterm birth
Methods: Prospective cohort with 1,078 pregnant women attending basic health units in the urban area of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, between 2012 and 2014. Information was collected using a structured questionnaire applied at the time of prenatal care. Logistic regression was used to estimate the relationship between NSAID use during pregnancy and preterm birth. Analyzes were adjusted for age, education, race, income, marital status, and health problems. An analysis stratified by maternal age was also performed (≤ 25; > 25 years).
Results: A total of 88 (9.8%) women were exposed to NSAIDs during pregnancy. The use of NSAIDs during pregnancy was not statistically associated with preterm birth (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.38-2.59). Stratified analysis suggests an increased risk of preterm birth among younger women who took NSAIDs during pregnancy (OR 1.35; 95% CI 0.35-5.05).
Conclusions: The results of this study do not indicate a greater risk of premature birth among pregnant women exposed to NSAIDs. However, it should not be assumed that the use of these drugs during pregnancy is risk-free, and they should be used rationally.
