Search strategy
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (2020) framework guidelines (PRISMA) and the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. (Supplement table S1-S2)
We conducted three systematic database searches: the first included articles from 1953 to February 2020, the second included articles published from the last search to April 2021 and the third included articles published from the last search to January 2022. The search included PubMed/Medline, Embase, Clinical Trials Registry Clinicaltrials.gov and The Cochrane Library. Language restrictions were not set.
The search strategies incorporated index terms (Mesh) and free text words for the search concepts: pravastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pregnancy combined by “AND”; and in each domain, the terms were combined by “OR” (Supplementary table S3) The first domain contained terms on statins (including synonyms and abbreviations such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors), the second domain related to pregnancy.
The detailed protocol is documented online in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews Registry (CRD42020165804). Because this study was a review and meta-analysis, Helsinki board approval was waived.