PREGNANCY OUTCOMES FOLLOWING PATERNAL METHOTREXATE EXPOSURE: A
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Abstract
Aim: Current literature lacks clear recommendations for the clinical
management of pregnancies in which fathers are exposed to methotrexate
prior and during conception. This highlights the need to expand the
evidence regarding the fetal safety of paternal methotrexate exposure.
Objective of this meta-analysis was to explore whether there is an
association between major congenital malformations and other adverse
pregnancy outcomes following paternal methotrexate exposure through a
systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science,
and Reprotox databases were searched through December 2023. Cohort and
case-control studies with paternal exposure to methotrexate were
included. Results: The primary outcome of interest was the major
congenital malformations following paternal methotrexate exposure during
preconception and at conception. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence
of cardiac malformations, spontaneous abortion, live birth, elective
terminations, stillbirth, and preterm birth. Among the outcomes, only
major congenital malformations, stillbirth, and preterm birth were
eligible for quantitative analysis. No significant increases in the risk
of major congenital malformations (aOR 1.00; [%95CI 0.62, 1.61])
(I2=%0, P=0.81), stillbirth (OR 0.85; [95%CI 0.11, 6.45]) (I2=%0,
P=0.65) or preterm birth(OR 0.95; [%95CI 0.59, 1.53]) (I2=%26,
P=0.26) were observed following paternal methotrexate exposure.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that paternal methotrexate exposure
does not significantly increase the risk of major congenital
malformations, stillbirth, preterm birth. In addition, it was not
ssociated with consistent or repetitive pattern of malformations. These
findings suggest reassurance following paternal methotrexate exposure.