title: Trimethoprim Use prior to Pregnancy and the Risk of Congenital Malformation: A Register-Based Nationwide Cohort Study.
abstract: Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the use of the antifolate antibiotic trimethoprim during the 12 weeks before conception was associated with congenital malformations. Methods. We conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study including all Danish women giving birth from 1997 to 2004. All women with at least one prescription of trimethoprim dispensed during the 12 weeks before conception were identified. Results. There was a doubling of congenital malformations in offspring to women exposed to trimethoprim in the 12 weeks before conception. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of major congenital malformation was 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.81. There was a significant increase in major malformations of the heart (OR = 2.49; 1.18-5.26) and limbs (OR = 2.18; 1.13-4.23). Conclusions. In this study, we found an association between exposure to trimethoprim during the 12 weeks before conception and an increased risk of heart and limb defects.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark ; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jon Trærup
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Solem
authors.forename: Jeppe Nørgaard
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Nadia Lyhne
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Shoaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afzal
authors.forename: Kasper
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Broedbaek
authors.forename: Brian Rafn
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hjelvang
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Køber
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torp-Pedersen
authors.forename: Henrik Enghusen
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Poulsen