Maternal narcotic addiction: pregnancy outcome in patients managed by a specialized drug-dependency antenatal clinic

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1987 May;27(2):92-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1987.tb00952.x.

Abstract

A retrospective analysis has been made of the outcome of pregnancy in 174 women abusing narcotics, managed by a specialist team from a drug-dependency antenatal clinic. These women were cared for through 182 pregnancies of greater than 20 weeks' gestation, resulting in 183 live and 5 stillbirths. The majority of patients were enrolled in a methadone programme and stabilized on the drug before the third trimester. The group was characterized by a high prevalence of previous obstetric and medical problems. The most common antenatal complications were preterm labour (24%) and anaemia (12%). Preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age each occurred in a quarter of pregnancies. The mean birth-weight for the group was 2,746 g +/- 721 g; mean +/- S.D. Eight perinatal deaths occurred (5 stillbirths, 3 neonatal deaths), giving a perinatal mortality rate of 43/1,000. The data on narcotic abusers have been compared with similar data obtained from randomly selected public antenatal clinic patients who delivered during the same period.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Health Facilities*
  • Heroin Dependence / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age
  • Maternal-Child Health Centers*
  • Methadone / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Prenatal Care*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Methadone