Maternal spermicide use and adverse reproductive outcome: A meta-analysis

Thomas R. Einarson, Gideon Koren, David Mattice, Ofra Schechter-Tsafriri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

A meta-analysis was performed to determine whether the literature provides evidence that periconceptual or postconceptual maternal use of spermicides is detrimental to the developing fetus. Nine studies that investigated teratogenicity met the inclusion criteria. The Mantel-Haenszel summary odds ratio was 1.02 (95% confidence interval = 0.78 to 1.32). The χ2 analyses was 0.10 for significance from unity (p = 0.748) and 8.73 for homogeneity of effects (p = 0.365). Studies comparing specific abnormalities with other abnormalities also indicated no association (odds ratio = 0.96; 95% confidence interval = 0.72 to 1.28). Studies investigating other adverse events (spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, reduced fetal weight, prematurity, or increased incidence of female births) showed similar negative results. Cohen's d, the overall effect size as determined by Tukey's jackknife method, was -0.001 (95% confidence interval = -0.018 to 0.017). These results indicate that maternal use of spermicides is not associated with adverse fetal outcomes. Meta-analysis adds quantitative support for conclusions from traditional reviews of the subject.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)655-660
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume162
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1990
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Teratogenicity
  • fetal loss
  • statistical aggregation
  • stillbirth
  • vaginal spermicides

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