Prenatal exposure to misoprostol and congenital anomalies: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The present systematic review was proposed with the objective of estimating the risk of congenital anomalies and other adverse events in children exposed to misoprostol during fetal life. The data source consisted of case–control studies that analyzed the effect of prenatal exposure to misoprostol on the pregnancy outcome, which were located in electronic databases and published up to June 2005. The outcomes of interest included congenital anomalies, fetal death, low birth weight and prematurity. The odds ratios (OR) for the individual studies were pooled by meta-analysis. Sensitivity tests and heterogeneity analysis were performed. Four studies involving 4899 cases of congenital anomalies and 5742 controls were included in accordance with the selection criteria. None of the studies analyzed other adverse effects from misoprostol on the outcome from gestation. Increased risks of congenital anomalies related to misoprostol use were found for any congenital defect (OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 0.98–12.98), Möbius sequence (OR = 25.31; 95% CI: 11.11–57.66) and terminal transverse limb defects (OR = 11.86; 95% CI: 4.86–28.90). In conclusion, prenatal exposure to misoprostol is associated with an increased risk of Möbius sequence and terminal transverse limb defects.