Uncomplicated vaginal delivery in two consecutive pregnancies carried to term in a woman with osteogenesis imperfecta type I and bisphosphonate treatment before conception

Does the use of bisphosphonates during pregnancy affect fetal outcomes? A systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of maternal exposure to bisphosphonates (BPs) during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes. It aimed to disclosfe the impact of BPs on neonates and identify aspects that require further investigation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Science Direct, LILACS, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted until August 2022, with no time restrictions. The selection criteria included studies published in English that evaluated pregnant women who were exposed to BPs.

RESULTS

From an initial pool of 2169 studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. These studies collectively included 106 women (108 pregnancies) who were exposed to BPs either before orduring pregnancy. A summary of the key characteristics of the selected studies and the risk of bias assessment are provided. Exposure to BPs occurs at various stages of pregnancy, with different indications for BP treatment. The most frequently reported neonatal outcomes were spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, hypocalcemia, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

Although previous reports have linked BPs before or during pregnancy with adverse neonatal outcomes, these associations should be interpreted with caution. Given the complexity of these findings, further research is necessary to provide more definitive insights to guide clinical decisions regarding the use of BPs in pregnant women.

Clinical evidence of the effect of bisphosphonates on pregnancy and the infant

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are potent inhibitors of osteoclast mediated bone resorption. These drugs are widely used in the management of osteoporosis and other diseases, characterized by high bone turnover. The effect of BPs on gestation and lactation, when they are used as therapeutic agents in premenopausal women, is yet unknown. We conducted a detailed literature review and identified the cases of BPs use in young women, as well as, the effects of this therapy on the gestation and the embryo. The published data, regarding the use of BPs in premenopausal women and their effects on the pregnancy outcome, are limited. However, we could identify the outcomes of 40 pregnant women, who had received BPs prior to or during pregnancy, that have been documented in the literature. All women had valid indications to receive BPs for serious bone metabolism conditions. We could not identify any prospective trials, which focus on pregnancy outcomes following after the in-utero exposure to BPs. In total, no serious adverse effects were reported. Problems related to the offspring, such as hypocalcemia and a tendency for low body weight (LBW), were self-resolving. In addition, no serious adverse outcomes were reported for women having completed pregnancy. Nevertheless, follow-up was limited for both outcomes suggesting the necessity of national and international registries.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with osteogenesis imperfecta: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by defects in type I collagen that can pose serious complications during pregnancy. The aim was to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with OI.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We examined the records of pregnant women with OI during the period 2003 to 2011. We evaluated antenatal complications and method of delivery among 295 women with OI, using unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the total 7 287 994 births in our cohort, we encountered 295 deliveries among women with OI. The prevalence was 4 per 1 00 000 deliveries per year over the study period. Births to women with OI were more likely to be complicated by antepartum hemorrhage (odds ratio (OR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 to 3.91), placenta abruption (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.24 to 5.03), intrauterine growth restriction and small-for-gestational-age infants (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.14), congenital malformation (OR 7.33, 95% CI 4.20 to 12.78) and preterm birth (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.63 to 3.06). Seventy-five percent of women with OI delivered by cesarean section, and they had an increased rate of tubal sterilization at delivery (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.36). No differences in rates of stress fracture and maternal death were found.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that there are increased risks to both mother and fetus in pregnancies complicated by OI.