The purpose of the present study was to investigate drug consumption during pregnancy and evaluate appropriate prescribing in the Lazio region.

Based on data from the regional health information systems, a retrospective study was carried out, referring to all women aged 18-45 years and resident in Lazio, who gave birth in any regional hospital between January 2008 and December 2012 (N°=189923).
Moreover, a sample of 562 women was interviewed immediately after delivery, in order to collect more detailed information regarding health attitudes and drug intake through a validated questionnaire, including information on drugs not refunded by the public health care system (e.g. dietary supplements) with a focus on folic acid.Main results: in 81% of pregnancies the mother took at least one drug; consumption of potential teratogens and clinically inappropriate drugs was limited, even if some inappropriate prescribing was observed. Only 19% of the pregnant women took folic acid according to the evidence based guidelines, i.e. starting at least 1 month before pregnancy and taking folic acid until the end of the 1st trimester. 76% of the cohort started intake during pregnancy.

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