Nicotine replacement therapy effect on pregnancy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To review data assessing the effects of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during pregnancy on fetal, neonatal, and maternal outcomes.


METHODS
A literature search of PubMed (1966-July 2010) was performed using the terms smoking, smoking cessation, pregnancy, and nicotine replacement therapy. Bibliographies and the Cochrane Database were reviewed to identify additional relevant articles.


METHODS
All studies including humans and published in English with data describing NRT effects on pregnancy outcomes or malformations as a primary or secondary outcome were evaluated.


RESULTS
Currently, behavior modification therapy is recommended for smoking cessation in pregnancy as first-line treatment, but NRT should be offered to patients who are not successful. NRT is currently a pregnancy category D medication. Pregnancy outcomes and malformation rates for NRT in pregnancy were evaluated as either primary or secondary outcomes in several trials. Four studies examined pregnancy outcomes after a full course of nicotine gum or patch therapy. NRT use significantly decreased the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight compared to that of smokers. Only 1 study evaluated the risk of malformations after exposure to the NRT patch during the first trimester. In a retrospective analysis, NRT users had an increased risk for any fetal malformation but not for major or musculoskeletal ones. However, no adjustments were made for many known factors associated with malformations.


CONCLUSIONS
Behavior modification therapy should always be the first method tried for smoking cessation in the pregnant population. If behavior modification therapy is attempted without success, NRT should be offered because of decreased risk for low birth weight and preterm delivery compared to continued smoking. Additionally, NRT does not appear to increase the risk for malformations.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, MO, USA. aforinash@stlcop.edu
Alicia B
AB
Forinash
Jamie M
JM
Pitlick
Kylie
K
Clark
Valerie
V
Alstat
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine