Pregnancy outcome after exposure to the probiotic Lactobacillus in early pregnancy

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2012 Apr;32(3):227-9. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2011.641621.

Abstract

The present study prospectively assessed pregnancy outcome of women taking probiotics during the periconceptional period. A group of 104 women who had taken Lactobacillus in early pregnancy and 200 age- and parity-matched control pregnant women exposed to non-teratogenic agents were also recruited into the study and followed-up prospectively. Median gestational age of women exposed to Lactobacillus was 5.2 (range: 1.9-17.6) weeks. Exposure was at a mean dose of 510 mg/day for a median of 4.0 days (range: 1-90 days). In the exposed group, pregnancy outcomes included 96 live births and eight spontaneous abortions versus 187 live births and 21 spontaneous abortions in the non-exposed group. There was no statistical difference in adverse pregnancy outcomes, including the number of spontaneous abortions, pre-term births as well as a low birth weight between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the exposed group, there were two (2.1%) major congenital malformations in comparison with five (2.7%) in the comparison group (p = 0.7). In conclusion, no association was identified between ingestion of Lactobacillus in early pregnancy for a limited period of time and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, rare pregnancy outcomes may have been missed due to the limited sample size included in the study.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / epidemiology
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Birth Weight
  • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
  • Congenital Abnormalities / etiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactobacillus*
  • Live Birth* / epidemiology
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology
  • Premature Birth / etiology*
  • Probiotics / adverse effects*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Single-Blind Method