NSAIDs may cause miscarriages

You're pregnant and you're taking all possible care that the baby is born in fine fettle. Life is happy till you take a common pain killer like ibuprofen or aspirin for a minor pain. This could be a big mistake that you unknowingly commit. Recent research suggests that these common pain killers, which are NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs), could cause miscarriages in pregnant women. The study published in the recent issue of the British Medical Journal suggests that NSAIDs can adversely affect birth outcomes and may increase the risk of birth abnormalities, low birth weight, premature birth and miscarriage. The study, conducted on Danish women, examined the risk of a miscarriage in women who had been exposed to NSAIDs like aspirin. The researchers found that though the risk of birth weight and preterm birth was not significantly increased, association with miscarriage was observed. Past studies have linked aspirin with congenital abnormality and low birth weight. However, a concrete cause-effect relationship was never established. This study was conducted with a large sample size and the participants consisted of women who had been prescribed anti inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and those who had not. The control group consisted of women who had an abortion out of which some were those who had been on NSAIDs. Though the study still needs to be confirmed from other quarters, pregnant ladies would do well to avoid taking any drugs during pregnancy. These medications must be taken, if at all, under the guidance of a doctor. Where, arguably, the most important decision of your life is concerned, it is better to be safe than sorry.

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