OBSTETRICAL ADVANTAGES AND PERINATAL RISKS OF INDOMETHACIN - A REPORTOF 818 CASES

In a series of 818 patients treated with indomethacin during pregnancy , the rate of perinatal complications was 1.8%. The risk was increased to 13% if indomethacin was being taken at the time of delivery, and w hen treatment was prolonged. The serious nature of certain complicatio ns (persistence of fetal circulation and oligo/anuria) means that indo methacin should only be used in cases in which betamimetic drugs are f ormally contraindicated or if there is a risk of unacceptable prematur ity. Even in such cases, indomethacin should only be given for short p eriod (<1 week).