HEALTH SERVICE RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 5:30-6:15 PM
Dugoua JJ, Mills E, Perri D, Koren G.
Safety and efficacy of commonly used herbs, vitamins
and supplements during pregnancy and lactation— An evidence-based
systematic review.
Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Canadian
College of Naturopathic Medicine Toronto Western Hospital—University
Health Network Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Toronto Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster
University Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children jdugoua@ccnm.edu,
jeanjacques.dugoua@uhn.on.ca,
drjj@truestarhealth.com
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of basic knowledge
on the part of both clinicians and patients as to the indications for
use and safety of herbs used during pregnancy and lactation.
OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the literature
for evidence on 1) efficacy, 2) safety/harm during pregnancy and lactation,
and 3) pharmacology of 60 commonly used herbs, 9 commonly used supplements
and 6 commonly used vitamins.
METHODS: We searched 7 electronic databases
and compiled data according to the grade of evidence found.
RESULTS: We found varying levels of evidence
on clinical efficacy of herbs, supplements and vitamins for different
medical conditions. We found fair level of evidence of harm during pregnancy
for barberry, Oregon grape, goldenseal, blue cohosh, parsley, calamus,
juniper, pennyroyal and deadly nightshade. We found very good to good
levels of evidence of safety for garlic, horsechestnut seed extract,
Echinacea, Korean ginseng, ginger, fish oils, Lactobacillus sp.,
St John's wort, vitamins (D, E, K, B6, folic acid).
CONCLUSIONS: A number of herbs show evidence
of being effective aids for a number of conditions, however, some safety
concerns are important to highlight for women considering the use of
certain herbs during pregnancy and lactation.
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