Exposure to Drugs and Other Possibly Harmful Factors During the First Trimester of Pregnancy:Comparison of Two Prospective Studies Performed in Sweden 10 Years Apart

Abstract

Women (474) in mid-pregnancy, interviewed at 10 different hospitals in Sweden, were questioned on several social and medical items, e.g., drug use, contraceptive technique used before pregnancy, exposure to possibly deleterious factors in the environment. The study, compared with a similar study made 10 yr earlier in Sweden, showed little or no difference in the use of Fe and/or vitamin preparations, analgesic drugs, antibiotics or endocrine drugs; but a drastic reduction is noted in the use of psychotropic drugs and of antihistaminic drugs. A marked decrease in frequency of 1st trimester X-ray exposures can be found, but no marked changes in smoking habits. Approximately 18% of the women used contraceptive pills within 6 mo. of becoming pregnant; 3 had used them during early pregnancy. About 4% (18 women) had used IUD [intrauterine device]; one became pregnant with a Cu-IUD (intra-uterine device inpregnated with Cu). This type of study provides some information on the prevalence of relatively common factors, but it must be considerably extended in order to permit an analysis of rare events, e.g., use of most drugs.