Maternal characteristics associated with pregnancy exposure to FDA category C, D, and X drugs in a Canadian population.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the frequency of exposure to prescription Food and Drug Administration (FDA) category C, D, and X drugs in pregnant women, and to analyze the maternal characteristics associated with such an exposure.


METHODS
A 50% random sample of women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2000 was chosen for the study. The rate of exposure to FDA category C, D, or X drugs recorded in the pharmacist database was estimated. Associations of exposure to FDA category C, D, and X drugs with maternal characteristics were evaluated using multiple logistical regression, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the association measures.


RESULTS
A total of 18 575 women were included in this study. Among them, 3604 (19.4%) had exposure to one or more FDA category C, D, and X drugs during pregnancy. Category C drugs were the most frequently used drugs (15.8%), followed by D drugs (5.2%), and X drugs (3.9%). Women with chronic health conditions had fourfold at increased risk of exposure than women without. Regardless of health status, women who were <20 years of age, who had a parity > or =3, and who were on social assistance plan were at increased risk of pregnancy exposure to these drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
About 19.4% pregnant women are exposed to FDA C, D or X drugs during pregnancy. Women with chronic diseases, younger age, increased parity, and under social assistance are at increased risk of exposure to FDA C, D, or X drugs.
Yang
Tubao
T
School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Walker
Mark C
MC
Krewski
Daniel
D
Yang
Qiuying
Q
Nimrod
Carl
C
Garner
Peter
P
Fraser
William
W
Olatunbosun
Olufemi
O
Wen
Shi Wu
SW
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016208:Databases, Factual; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010298:Parity; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012525:Saskatchewan; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations