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Prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines and the development of the offspring - a systematic review

Anne Grosbøl Jensen1, Signe Schöllhammer Knudsen2, Bodil Hammer Bech1

  • 1Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000 Aarhus, C, Denmark.

Neurotoxicology and Teratology
|February 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines may increase risks for internalizing problems, impaired motor skills, and lower academic achievement in children. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and their clinical relevance.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines is a concern due to potential long-term effects on child development.
  • Existing literature on the developmental outcomes of in utero benzodiazepine exposure requires systematic summarization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize available literature on the long-term developmental outcomes of children exposed to benzodiazepines during gestation.
  • To identify specific psychological, social, motor, and neurodevelopmental disturbances associated with prenatal benzodiazepine exposure.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase databases.
  • Included were 13 cohort studies of children over one year old with prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines or Z-hypnotics, comparing them to unexposed groups.
  • Internal validity of studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a potential increased risk of internalizing problems, impaired gross motor skills, lower academic achievement, and ADHD traits in children with prenatal benzodiazepine exposure.
  • Four developmental outcomes indicated impaired long-term development, though results were contradictory.
  • Potential bias and clinical relevance of findings remain uncertain.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal benzodiazepine exposure is associated with several developmental outcomes, but findings are not definitive.
  • The study highlights a need for further high-quality research to clarify the long-term impact and clinical significance of in utero benzodiazepine exposure.
  • Uncertainty remains regarding the persistence of developmental issues into later childhood.
Abstract

Keywords:
BenzodiazepinesChild developmentDevelopmental outcomesPregnancyPrenatal exposure

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