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.