In-utero exposure to antihypertensive medication and neonatal and child health outcomes: A systematic review

Catherine A. Fitton, Markus F. C. Steiner, Lorna Aucott, Jill P. Pell, Daniel F. Mackay, Michael Fleming, James S. McLay (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    58 Citations (Scopus)
    94 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Background: Although medication is generally avoided wherever possible during pregnancy, pharmacotherapy is required for the treatment of pregnancy associated hypertension, which remains a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The long-term effects to the child of in-utero exposure to antihypertensive agents remains largely unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review published studies on adverse outcomes to the child associated with in-utero exposure to antihypertensive medications. Methods: OVID, Scopus, EBSCO Collections, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant publications published between January 1950 and October 2016 and a total of 688 potentially eligible studies were identified. Results: Following review, 47 primary studies were eligible for inclusion. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist was used to assess study quality. Five studies were of excellent quality; the remainder were either mediocre or poor. Increased risk of low birth weight, low size for gestational age, preterm birth, and congenital defects following in-utero exposure to all antihypertensive agents were identified. Two studies reported an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder following exposure to labetalol, and an increased risk of sleep disorders following exposure to methyldopa and clonidine. Conclusion: The current systematic review demonstrates a paucity of relevant published high-quality studies. A small number of studies suggest possible increased risk of adverse child health outcomes; however, most published studies have methodological weaknesses and/or lacked statistical power thus preventing any firm conclusions being drawn.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2123-2137
    Number of pages15
    JournalJournal of Hypertension
    Volume35
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2017

    Keywords

    • adverse drug event
    • antihypertensive agents
    • child health
    • drug exposure in pregnancy
    • female
    • hypertension
    • in-utero exposure
    • pharmacovigilance
    • preeclampsia
    • pregnancy-induced hypertension

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Internal Medicine
    • Physiology
    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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