Prescribing in pregnancy for women with diabetes: use of potential teratogenic drugs and contraception

AIMS: To describe the prescription of drugs either not recommended in pregnancy or potentially teratogenic, and contraception use by diabetes type in women of child-bearing age. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional chart review undertaken in 22 general practices in Warwickshire, UK. Demographic, anthropometric, medical history, medication and contraception data were extracted from women aged 14 to 49 years with pre-existing diabetes. Independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney test and χ(2) -test were used to test for univariable associations and multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy eligible women were identified; the majority had a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes (67%). Thirty-six per cent and 64% of women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, respectively, were prescribed drugs not recommended for use in pregnancy (P