title: Developing a systematic approach to safer medication use during pregnancy: summary of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--convened meeting.
abstract: To address information gaps that limit informed clinical decisions on medication use in pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) solicited expert input on a draft prototype outlining a systematic approach to evaluating the quality and strength of existing evidence for associated risks. The draft prototype outlined a process for the systematic review of available evidence and deliberations by a panel of experts to inform clinical decision making for managing health conditions in pregnancy. At an expert meeting convened by the CDC in January 2013, participants divided into working groups discussed decision points within the prototype. This report summarizes their discussions of best practices for formulating an expert review process, developing evidence summaries and treatment guidance, and disseminating information. There is clear recognition of current knowledge gaps and a strong collaboration of federal partners, academic experts, and professional organizations willing to work together toward safer medication use during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Electronic address: cbroussard@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Cheryl S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Broussard
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN.
authors.forename: Meghan T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Diaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: Pediatric and Maternal Health Staff, Maternal Health Team, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD.
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.affiliation: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Collins Sharp
authors.affiliation: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Honein
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States
keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; expert review; medications; pregnancy; teratogens