Risk of pre-term births and major birth defects resulting from paternal intake of COVID-19 medications prior to conception. BMC research notes Rizzi, S., Wensink, M. J., Lindahl-Jacobsen, R., Tian, L., Lu, Y., Eisenberg, M. L. 2020; 13 (1): 509

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of people will receive one of the several medications proposed to treat COVID-19, including patients of reproductive age. Given that some medications have shown adverse effects on sperm quality, there might be a transgenerational concern. We aim at examining the association between drugs proposed to treat COVID-19 when taken by the father around conception and any pre-term birth or major birth defects in offspring in a nation-wide cohort study using Danish registry data. Offspring whose father filled at least one prescription of the following medications in the 3months preceding conception were considered exposed: chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, losartan, azithromycin, naproxen, dexamethasone and prednisone.RESULTS: For azithromycin and naproxen, large numbers of offspring were exposed (>1800 offspring), and we found no association with adverse birth outcomes. For chloroquine, losartan and dexamethasone, exposure was intermediate (~900 offspring), and there was no statistically significant association with birth defects. For hydroxychloroquine and prednisone, exposure was limited (<300 offspring). Our evidence suggests that azithromycin and naproxen are safe with respect to pre-term birth and birth defects. For the other drugs investigated larger exposures are needed for conclusive statements.

View details for DOI 10.1186/s13104-020-05358-x

View details for PubMedID 33160408