Project 173085

Although anti-infectives including antibiotics are amongst the most frequently used drugs during pregnancy, there is no agreement on the absolute risks and benefits for the mother and her child. Antibiotics are indicated for the outpatient treatment of prevalent pregnancy complications such as urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis, which are themselves associated with a high incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour/chorioamniotitis, premature deliveries, low birth weight (LBW) infants, and foetal mortality. Given that indications for antibiotics use during gestation are themselves increasing the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, it is pivotal to determine the risk/benefit ratio of anti-infectives, more specifically antibiotics use during pregnancy for the mother and the child. The objectives of this study are to quantify the associations between anti-infectives, and more specifically antibiotics exposure during pregnancy and the risk of prematurity, low birth weight, small for gestational age babies, and major congenital malformations, considering the indications for use. Data will be obtained from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry (QPR) that includes data on all pregnancies in Quebec from 01/01/1998 to 31/12/2008. The Registry was built with the linkage of three administrative databases: the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, MedEcho, and ISQ. The results of this study will give evidence-based data on the effect of gestational use of anti-infectives, and more specifically antibiotics, on the health of the mother and her child, taking into account the indication for use.