Systematic review of hydroxychloroquine use in pregnant patients with autoimmune diseases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The purpose of this study is to compare the incidence of congenital defects, spontaneous abortions, number of live births, fetal death and pre-maturity in women with autoimmune diseases taking HCQ during pregnancy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The authors searched MEDLINE, Cochrane data base, Ovid-Currents Clinical Medicine, Ovid-Embase:Drugs and Pharmacology, EBSCO, Web of Science, and SCOPUS using the search terms HCQ and/or pregnancy. We attempted to identify all clinical trials from 1980 to 2007 regardless of language or publication status. We also searched Cochrane Central Library and <url>http://www.Clinical trials.gov</url> for clinical trials of HCQ and pregnancy. Data were extracted onto standardized forms and were confirmed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The odds ratio (OR) of congenital defects in live births of women taking HCQ during pregnancy was 0.66, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.25, 1.75. The OR of a live birth for women taking HCQ during pregnancy was 1.05 (95% CI 0.58, 1.93). The OR of spontaneous abortion in women taking HCQ during pregnancy was 0.92 (95% CI 0.49, 1.72). The OR of fetal deaths in women taking HCQ during pregnancy was 0.97 (95% CI 0.14, 6.54). The OR of pre-mature birth defined as birth before 37 weeks in women taking HCQ during pregnancy was 1.10 (95% CI 0.75, 1.61).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HCQ is not associated with any increased risk of congenital defects, spontaneous abortions, fetal death, pre-maturity and decreased numbers of live births in patients with auto-immune diseases.</p