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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(03): 243-251
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1669948
SMFM Fellowship Series Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Antibiotic Use in Pregnancy, Abnormal Fetal Growth, and Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

John F. Mission
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Janet Catov
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Tiffany Deihl
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Maisa Feghali
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Christina Scifres
1   Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
4   Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded in part by the Magee-Womens Research Institute Clinical Research Trainee Award.
Further Information

Publication History

09 June 2017

07 August 2018

Publication Date:
12 September 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective Antibiotics are commonly used in pregnancy. Prior studies have indicated that antibiotic use in pregnancy may affect birth weight, whereas data in nonpregnant individuals suggest that antibiotic exposure may increase diabetes risk. We evaluated the impact of antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy on the prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) birth weight and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study Design This retrospective cohort study of 12,551 women who delivered at a large academic medical center between 2012 and 2014 assessed the number and type of antibiotic prescriptions prior to GDM testing using the electronic medical record. SGA and LGA birth weight and GDM rates were compared among women who were or were not prescribed antibiotics.

Results Overall, 3,991 (31.8%) of 12,551 patients received at least one antibiotic prescription. After covariate adjustment, no differences existed in risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88–1.15; p = 0.94), LGA (aOR: 1; 95% CI: 0.86–1.17; p = 0.97), or GDM (aOR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.72–1.13; p = 0.36) between women who were or were not prescribed antibiotics.

Conclusion Antibiotic use does not affect the risk of SGA or LGA birth weight or GDM in pregnant women. These results provide reassurance regarding the use of antibiotics when clinically indicated in pregnancy.

Keywords

antibiotics - gestational diabetes mellitus - fetal growth - large for gestational age - small for gestational age

Supplementary Material

 

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