A pilot study of the nutritional status of opiate-using pregnant women on methadone maintenance therapy

Subst Use Misuse. 2012 Feb;47(3):286-95. doi: 10.3109/10826084.2011.635324.

Abstract

Pregnant women in methadone maintenance therapy may have poor nutrition during pregnancy. In 2006-2008, methadone-treated pregnant women (n = 22) were recruited at an urban academic medical center and compared with nondrug-using pregnant women (n = 119) at 20-35 weeks' gestation. We measured adiposity using prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire, and micronutrient and essential fatty acid status using biomarkers. Methadone-treated women had lower BMI, consumed more calories, had lower serum carotenoid concentrations, and higher plasma homocysteine concentrations than controls. The study's limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Energy Intake
  • Fatty Acids, Essential / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition / complications*
  • Methadone / therapeutic use*
  • Micronutrients / blood
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / complications
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / rehabilitation
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Pregnant Women*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Essential
  • Micronutrients
  • Methadone