| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2593614 | Reproductive Toxicology | 2013 | 5 Pages |
•Hydroxychloroquine use in pregnancy was not associated with a teratogenic risk.•Neonatal lupus was not reported among infants of mothers with rheumatologic diseases.•The preterm delivery rate was higher and birth weight lower in the exposed group.
ObjectiveTo evaluate pregnancy safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for rheumatologic diseases.DesignProspective comparative observational study done at the Israeli teratology information service between 1998 and 2006.Results114 HCQ-exposed pregnancies (98.2% in the first trimester, T1) were followed-up and compared with 455 pregnancies of women counseled for non-teratogenic exposure. The difference in the rate of congenital anomalies was not statistically significant [7/97 (7.2%) vs. 15/440 (3.4%), p = 0.094]. The analysis was repeated among those exposed in T1 excluding genetic or cytogenetic anomalies or congenital infections [5/95 (5.3%) vs. 14/440 (3.2%), p = 0.355]. There were no cases of neonatal lupus erythematosus. The gestational age at delivery was earlier, rate of preterm delivery higher, and birth weight lower, in the HCQ group.ConclusionThe present study suggests that HCQ treatment in pregnancy is not a major human teratogen. The earlier gestational age and lower birth weight might be associated with maternal disease.
