Migraine and risk of adverse obstetric outcomes: a matched cohort study of English linked electronic health records.

This study explored how pre-pregnancy migraine affects obstetric outcomes in women. Researchers analyzed linked electronic health records from England, focusing on women aged 15-50 years. They evaluated 428,217 deliveries from 317,016 women with singleton births between 2000 and 2019. Among these, 46,560 deliveries had a recorded migraine diagnosis. The study matched these migraine-exposed deliveries with similar controls without migraine. Findings indicated no notable association between pre-pregnancy migraine and preterm birth. However, migraine seemed to protect against very preterm birth. The study noted increased odds of iatrogenic preterm birth and pre-eclampsia in women with pre-pregnancy migraine. Other outcomes like low birth weight and stillbirth showed no significant association. Overall, results suggest that pre-pregnancy migraine may influence certain obstetric outcomes. Further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms behind these associations and their potential clinical implications. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that pre-pregnancy migraine may increase risks for iatrogenic preterm birth and pre-eclampsia, highlighting the need for careful monitoring during pregnancy.