The risk of miscarriage rises with the use of benzodiazepine medications during pregnancy. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry has highlighted this association.
Researchers from National Taiwan University in Taipei analyzed data from three million pregnancies involving nearly two million women, spanning 2004 to 2018. In this large-scale analysis, miscarriages occurred in about 4.4% of cases, underscoring the scale of the issue.
The study found that taking benzodiazepines during pregnancy was linked to a higher likelihood of miscarriage. Specifically, the odds were 1.3 to 2.5 times greater for women using benzodiazepines than for those not using them. The investigators accounted for additional factors known to influence miscarriage risk and still found a notable association with benzodiazepine use. These medications are known to have hypnotic, relaxing, anti-anxiety, and anticonvulsant effects, which may contribute to their impact during pregnancy.
The authors emphasized caution in the use of benzodiazepines during early pregnancy, noting that the findings can help clinicians make informed decisions when treating mental health and sleep disorders in pregnant patients. This study adds valuable evidence for healthcare providers weighing the benefits and risks of benzodiazepine therapy for pregnant individuals.
In clinical practice, healthcare teams may consider alternative therapies or the lowest effective dose when treatment for anxiety, insomnia, or seizure disorders is needed in pregnancy, and they may coordinate closely with obstetric care providers to monitor outcomes. The ongoing discussion in the medical community stresses individualized care that balances maternal well-being with fetal safety.