No link exists between exposure to benzodiazepines in pregnancy and cleft palate

Conflicting evidence exists about whether first trimester exposure to benzodiazepines increases the risk of major malformations or oral cleft. In their meta-analysis of cohort trials Dolovich et al (p 839) found that fetal exposure to benzodiazepines was not associated with major malformations or oral cleft, but a smaller pooled analysis on the basis of data from case-control studies found a significantly increased risk for major malformations or oral cleft. Even if the "worst case scenario" is assumed, benzodiazepines do not seem to be major human teratogens.


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Relevant Article

Benzodiazepine use in pregnancy and major malformations or oral cleft: meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies
Lisa R Dolovich, Antonio Addis, J M Régis Vaillancourt, J D Barry Power, Gideon Koren, and Thomas R Einarson
BMJ 1998 317: 839-843. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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