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First trimester exposure to cefuroxime: a prospective cohort study
M Berkovitch1, I Segal-Socher, R Greenberg
1Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. mberkovitch@asaf.health.gov.il
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 10, 2000
Summary
First-trimester cefuroxime exposure in pregnancy showed no increased risk of major malformations or spontaneous abortions. However, a higher rate of induced abortions was observed in the cefuroxime group.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Teratology
Background:
- Limited data exists on cefuroxime safety during pregnancy.
- Cefuroxime is a widely used antibiotic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the potential teratogenic effects of intrauterine cefuroxime exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- 106 pregnant women exposed to cefuroxime in the first trimester were recruited.
- Exposed women were matched with controls receiving non-teratogenic antibiotics for similar indications.
- Data on maternal history, birth outcomes, and malformations were collected and compared.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in major malformations between cefuroxime-exposed (3.2%) and control groups (2%).
- Rates of live births, spontaneous abortions, and fetal distress were comparable between groups.
- A significantly higher rate of induced abortions was noted in the cefuroxime-exposed group (P=0.04).
Conclusions:
- First-trimester cefuroxime exposure appears unlikely to increase the risk of fetal malformations or spontaneous abortions.
- The observed higher rate of induced abortions warrants further investigation.
- Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings due to the small sample size and wide confidence intervals.