A 28-year-old woman at 20 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with a tension headache. She asks about safe pain relief in pregnancy. She has been to...

Question

A 28-year-old woman at 20 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with a tension headache. She asks about safe pain relief in pregnancy. She has been told to avoid ibuprofen. Why are NSAIDs avoided, particularly from 20 weeks of gestation onwards?

Accepted Answer

NSAIDs may cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus and reduce amniotic fluid volume (oligohydramnios)

Answer

NSAIDs cause neural tube defects

Answer

NSAIDs have no fetal effects - they are avoided only due to maternal gastric side effects

Answer

NSAIDs cause fetal tachycardia

Answer

NSAIDs increase the risk of gestational diabetes

uk-drcog MCQ (SBA): NSAIDs - Ductus Arteriosus Closure

A 28-year-old woman at 20 weeks of gestation presents to the GP with a tension headache. She asks about safe pain relief in pregnancy. She has been told to avoid ibuprofen. Why are NSAIDs avoided, particularly from 20 weeks of gestation onwards?