Birth Control Pill Risks

Recent oral contraceptive use and adverse birth outcomes. Chen XK, Wen SW, Sun LM, Yang Q, Walker MC, Krewski D. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009 May;144(1):40-3. Epub 2009 Feb 23.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible association between oral contraceptive use and adverse birth outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a population-based cohort study of pregnant women who used oral contraceptives within 3 months before their last menstrual period. Subjects were divided into three groups, according to the interval (0-30, 31-60, and 61-90 days) between the dispensing date and their last menstrual period. For each exposed subject, 4 subjects without exposure to oral contraceptives were individually matched by infant's year of birth and plurality and by mother's age and parity.

RESULTS: Oral contraceptive use within 30 days prior to the last menstrual period was associated with increased risks of very low birth weight (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.18, 8.92), low birth weight (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.20), and preterm birth (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.55); however, oral contraceptive use 31-90 days prior to the last menstrual period did not increase the risk of low birth weight or preterm birth.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate the use of oral contraceptives near the time of conception may be associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth.