title: The fetal safety of benzodiazepines: an updated meta-analysis.
abstract: Benzodiazepines are commonly used by women of reproductive age, and hence many pregnant women are exposed to them. An updated meta-analysis of their fetal safety synthesized nine studies with over one million pregnancies, yielding an odds ratio of 1.07 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.25). While benzodiazepines do not appear to increase teratogenic risk in general, case-controls suggest a twofold increased risk of oral cleft.
authors.affiliation: The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Benin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ehijie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Enato
authors.affiliation: The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Myla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000139:chemically induced; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines