Question- Does the maternal use of calcium channel blockers increase the risk for neonatal seizures?
Answer-The cited article reported on more than 2,500,000 completed pregnancies where 22,908 (0.91%) included exposure to calcium channel blockers during the final month of pregnancy. These authors reported “Neonatal seizures occurred in 53 (0.23%) neonates born to mothers exposed to calcium channel blockers and in 4,609 (0.18%) neonates of unexposed women (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.65). After accounting for confounders, there was no increase in risk of neonatal seizures associated with calcium channel blocker expo- sure (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.70–1.30). This null finding was robust across multiple sensitivity analysis.” The authors concluded “In this large, carefully controlled, population-based cohort study, there was no significant increase in the risk of neonatal seizures in neonates attributable to maternal calcium channel blocker expo- sure in late pregnancy. The results suggest that calcium channel blockers can be used by obstetricians in late pregnancy without excess concern about this neonatal complication.” (Bateman BT et al. Calcium channel blocker exposure in late pregnancy and the risk of neonatal seizures. 2015 Obstet Gynecol 126:271-278)