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Decongestant use during pregnancy and its association with preterm delivery
Rohini K Hernandez1, Allen A Mitchell, Martha M Werler
1Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. rohinikh@bu.edu
Background:
Despite the frequent intake of decongestants during pregnancy, only one study to date has evaluated the association of decongestants with preterm delivery, and it identified a reduced risk. We examined this association in more detail.
Methods:
Using a population-based random sample of 3271 Massachusetts live-born births without major malformations, we categorized decongestant exposure according to timing, frequency of use, route, and indication. Preterm birth was defined as a gestational age of <37 completed weeks. We estimated hazard ratios and examined confounding by indication by examining various strata of women and through multivariate adjustment.
Results:
Compared to nonexposed women, those who took decongestants during the second or third trimester only were less likely to experience preterm delivery (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21-0.84). This association was observed only for women without preeclampsia.
Conclusions:
A protective association between decongestant use and preterm delivery has now been observed in two studies; however, the possibility of confounding by underlying condition remains.
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