Safety of Topical Corticosteroids in Pregnancy

JAMA Dermatol. 2016 Aug 1;152(8):934-5. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.1009.

Abstract

Clinical question: Are topical corticosteroids safe for use in pregnancy?

Bottom line: The available evidence found no associations of maternal use of topical corticosteroids of any potency with mode of delivery, birth defects, preterm delivery, fetal death, and low Apgar score. However, maternal use of potent to very potent topical corticosteroids, especially when the cumulative dosage of topical corticosteroids throughout the pregnancy is very large, is associated with low birth weight.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects*
  • Birth Weight / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fetal Death / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Protective Factors
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones