CDC Study Prescription Painkillers During Pregnancy Linked to Birth Defects

A recent study released by the CDC indicates the prescription painkillers such as hydrocodone or oxycodone can greatly increase the risk for birth defects. Women who take this types of prescription painkillers even prior to becoming pregnant are also increasing the risk of having a baby with birth defects.

CDC Study

The study of data from 10 states, the CDC researchers found that two to three percent of mothers interviewed received prescription opioid pain killers, or analgesics, just before they got pregnant or early in their pregnancy. “Many factors may influence the risks, including: how much medication a woman takes; at what stage of pregnancy she takes it; any other health conditions she has; and any other medications she takes.
However, the study authors noted that the risk from prescription painkillers in any one pregnancy is small.”

Conclusion

It is important to acknowledge that although there is an increased risk for some types of major birth defects from an exposure to opioid analgesics, that absolute risk for any individual woman is relatively modest," lead author Cheryl S. Broussard, of CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in the news release.

Source: http://health.msn.com/pregnancy/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100270211