Effect of Antimicrobial Exposure in Pregnancy on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Admission Rate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Multi-Center Cohort Study

PURPOSE: Antimicrobial agents are frequently prescribed during pregnancy. This study aims to explore the association between antimicrobial exposure and pregnancy outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multi-center retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients (n=370) was conducted in 22 tertiary hospitals in China. Adverse pregnancy outcomes and admission of neonate to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were considered as outcomes. The effect of antimicrobial exposure on pregnancy outcomes was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Use of first-generation cephalosporins during pregnancy was associated with a significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (odds ratio [OR]: 3.64 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.43–9.24], P = 0.007) and admission of neonate to the NICU (OR: 3.41, 95% CI: 1.37–8.53, P=0.009) compared with use of third-generation cephalosporins, after adjusting for gestational age of exposure to antimicrobial agents, cesarean section, and antimicrobial dose. Similarly, a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (OR: 14.76, 95% CI: 4.43–49.11) and neonatal NICU admission (OR: 11.74, 95% CI: 3.59–38.35) were observed among women with first-generation cephalosporins use compared with mothers with no antimicrobial use. CONCLUSION: Both first- and third-generation cephalosporins use was associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. In addition, first-generation cephalosporins were associated with an increased risk of those pregnant and neonatal outcomes, when compared with third-generation cephalosporins. We should require to determine the indications and contraindications for use of cephalosporins during pregnancy.