title: The long-term growth and development of children exposed to Depo-Provera during pregnancy or lactation.
abstract: Children exposed to the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera (DMPA) during pregnancy (N = 1,207), and/or during breastfeeding (N = 1,215) were exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Weights and heights were measured for all children, and information on signs of puberty obtained for children aged ten and over. Cross-sectional weights and heights by age of DMPA-exposed children were similar to those for controls. Children with DMPA exposure during pregnancy and lactation had an increased risk of suboptimal growth in height, defined as less than two Z scores on NCHS standards (RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.8). However, after adjustment for socioeconomic factors by multiple logistic regression, there was no increased risk of impaired growth among the DMPA-exposed children (RR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.8 - 1.6). With the exception of a delay in onset of reported pubic hair growth among DMPA-exposed girls, there were no significant effects on attainment of puberty. We conclude that use of DMPA during pregnancy or breastfeeding does not adversely affect the long-term growth and development of children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pardthaisong
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yenchit
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008895:Milk, Human; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects*; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone