Maternal traditional Chinese medicine exposure and risk of congenital malformations: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The potential teratogenic risk of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is of widespread concern; however, related evidence is largely absent in humans. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of congenital malformations between pregnant women with and without TCM exposure.

Material and methods

This was a multicenter prospective cohort study of 17 713 women who participated in a survey on periconceptional TCM exposure. Primary outcome was congenital malformations diagnosed from a survey conducted on the day 42 after delivery.

Results

A total of 16 751 pregnant women with 273 congenital malformations were included in the analysis. Fetuses exposed to TCM had an increased risk of congenital malformations compared to those without exposure (odds ratio [OR] 2.

SUBMITTER: Peng T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10201976 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature