First-trimester exposure to benzodiazepines and risk of congenital malformations in offspring: A population-based cohort study in South Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed during pregnancy; however, evidence about possible teratogenicity is equivocal. We aimed to evaluate the association between first-trimester benzodiazepine use and the risk of major congenital malformations.

Methods and findings

Using Korea's nationwide healthcare database, we conducted a population-based cohort study of women who gave birth during 2011 to 2018 and their live-born infants. The exposure was defined as one or more benzodiazepine prescriptions during the first trimester. We determined the relative risks (RRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of overall congenital malformations and 12 types of organ-specific malformations. Infants were followed from birth to death or 31 December 2019, whichever came first (up to

SUBMITTER: Noh Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8926183 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature