Drugs During Pregnancy: Methodological Aspects

A comprehensive overview of the epidemiological methods used to study the effects of maternal drug use on pregnancy outcomes, drawing on decades of experience working with the National Board of Health and Welfare in Stockholm. The text explains statistical concepts like odds ratios and risk ratios, and dedicates significant attention to the identification and mitigation of confounding factors such as maternal age, smoking, and socioeconomic level. Furthermore, the material details various methods for ascertaining drug exposure and pregnancy outcomes, including the use of national registers like the Swedish Medical Birth Register, while also addressing the challenges of classifying and grouping congenital malformations and the crucial importance of the timing of drug exposure relative to embryonic development. The author repeatedly stresses the limitations of small studies and the methodological complexities involved in establishing a causal link between drug exposure and adverse reproductive outcomes.You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:https://linktr.ee/pharmacy_simpleProduced by:https://www.podcaistudio.com/