Fetal and neonatal outcomes in women taking domperidone during pregnancy

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Feb;33(2):160-2. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2012.734871.

Abstract

The safety of domperidone in pregnancy remains unknown. Therefore, the study aimed to prospectively evaluate the fetal outcomes of women who were taking domperidone during pregnancy. In a prospective cohort study design, 120 1st- trimester pregnant women who were taking domperidone for controlling gastrointestinal tract symptoms and 212 age-matched pregnant women not exposed to any potential teratogenic agent, were followed-up until delivery. In the case group, domperidone was indicated for control of functional gastrointestinal disorders in 59.2%, the maximum dose was 30 mg/day and exposure occurred between 2(+4) and 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal outcomes including gestational age at birth, birth weight and length, head circumference at birth, and 1- and 5-min Apgar score were similar in the two study groups. There were three babies born with malformations in each group (OR = 0.6; 95% CI 0.1, 2.8). In conclusion, domperidone does not appear to be a major human teratogen. However, our findings require further confirmation in larger studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Adult
  • Antiemetics / adverse effects*
  • Birth Weight / drug effects*
  • Domperidone / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Fetal Development / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Domperidone