Does the Use of Oral Fluconazole in Pregnancy Increase Risk of Stillbirth?

The use of oral fluconazole during pregnancy is generally discouraged, but nonetheless about 4% of pregnant women in the United States use fluconazole. Previous studies have suggested that fluconazole use may be associated with stillbirth, especially if the dosage exceeds those commonly used for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

A recent study further explored the link between fluconazole use during pregnancy, stillbirth and neonatal deaths. Authors used data from a nationwide registry of live births and stillbirths in Sweden and Norway over a 10 year period. Researchers looked at the primary outcome of stillbirth or neonatal death that may have been associated with any fluconazole exposure at any time during pregnancy. Exposure was defined by filled prescriptions.

The results show that fluconazole use in pregnancy was not associated with significantly increased risks of stillbirth or neonatal death.

The authors conclude that though the data suggest no increased risk of stillbirth, additional studies should be conducted and the collective body of data scrutinized, before any recommendations to guide clinical decision making are determined.