Drug abuse during pregnancy and its neonatal impact. Analysis of the periods 2002-2008 and 2009-2017

Med Clin (Barc). 2021 Aug 27;157(4):159-163. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2020.05.065. Epub 2020 Aug 22.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of substance abuse among our pregnant women and the characteristics of their pregnancies, deliveries and new-born infants.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of infants born between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2017 in our centre to substance-abusing mothers and compared with our 2002-2008 study.

Results: Heroin use is decreasing, while cannabis and methamphetamine use are increasing. We observed a decrease in withdrawal associated with methadone and benzodiazepine use and an increase in breastfeeding in benzodiazepine and cannabis users. The infants of mothers who use heroin and cocaine are discharged to the mother's home less often. We observed a predominance of substance abuse among Spanish women except for methamphetamines, where the majority of users are Filipino.

Conclusions: The increase in cannabis use and the decrease in heroin and cocaine use have improved gestational control. Methamphetamine use is associated with serious social risks.

Keywords: Abuse drugs; Abuso de sustancias; Embarazo; Impacto neonatal; Metanfetamina; Methamphetamine; Neonatal impact; Pregnancy; Problemas sociales; Social problems.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Cocaine*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine* / adverse effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / chemically induced
  • Pregnancy Complications* / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / epidemiology

Substances

  • Methamphetamine
  • Cocaine
  • Methadone