title: Herbal supplements in pregnancy: unexpected results from a multicentre study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  How common is the use of herbal supplements during pregnancy and does it adversely affect the pregnancy outcome?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of herbal products during pregnancy is very common and daily almond oil spreading is associated with preterm birth (PTB).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Herbal drugs are often promoted as 'natural' and 'safe' and such claims attract pregnant women. More than a quarter of Italian pregnant women consume herbs every day for at least 3 months during pregnancy. We raise an alert over the habit of daily almond oil spreading since it seems to be associated with PTB.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multicenter retrospective cohort study performed over a 15-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred women interviewed within 3 days of childbirth, in three public hospitals in northern Italy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eighty-nine women were considered 'regular users', since they consumed herbs every day, for at least 3 months. Almond oil, chamomile and fennel were the most commonly used herbs. Both length of gestation and birthweight were affected by herb consumption. Almond oil users showed more pre-term birth (29 of 189) than non-users (51 of 511). After adjusting for multiple pregnancies, smoking, advanced age and drug intake, almond oil users maintained an increased risk to give birth <37th week (odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.08-4.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between daily spreading of almond oil and PTB only raises a hypothesis that requires confirmation in larger trials devoted to this topic. The relatively small sample size did not allow the investigation of other adverse pregnancy outcomes in herb users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The population under investigation did not significantly differ from the general population attending the same hospitals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No conflict of interest exists. The study has been supported by a public grant from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  None.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Obstetrics, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. facchi@unimore.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pedrielli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joppi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Verlato
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dante
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balduzzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cuzzolin
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D020843:Chamomile / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D030001:Foeniculum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012648:Self Care; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D028321:Plant Preparations; C068582:almond oil