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Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriages, according to Israeli researchers who examined 65,457 women aged 15 to 45 years. Of these, 90.1 per cent were admitted to the centre to give birth, the remainder to manage miscarriages.

Overall, 6.9 per cent of women took NSAIDs during the first trimester, of which 8.2 per cent had miscarriages. This compares with 10 per cent of non-users.

Approximately 17 per cent of women who took cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors had a miscarriage, although only 71 women received these drugs.

Due to the small sample size, further research is needed to quantify any risk. After adjusting for confounders, the risk of spontaneous abortion was 10 per cent higher with non-selective NSAIDs and 43 per cent with selective COX- 2 inhibitors, although neither reached statistical significance.

Indometacin increased the likelihood of miscarriage 2.8- fold. However indometacin can treat premature labour, which probably accounts for the association. No other NSAID significantly increased the risk. (Canadian Medical Association Journal)