title: Outcome predictors in pregnant opiate and polydrug users.
abstract: A retrospective case note study of 93 women was performed in order to assess the effect of maternal factors on neonatal outcome in a group of women attending a specialist clinic for pregnant drug users. There were no significant differences in outcome for chaotic drug users compared with non-chaotic drug users, or for cocaine users compared with non-cocaine using drug users. Women who reduced their methadone dose during pregnancy delivered babies of significantly higher birth weight than those whose methadone dose remained the same or increased (median 3027 g, range 1780-3629 g vs 2645 g, range 580-3720 g). Women who abused benzodiazepines during pregnancy produced babies of significantly lower birth weight than those women who did not use benzodiazepines (median 2100 g, range 580-3520 g vs 2767 g, range 1530-3720 g). The results of this study give healthcare staff evidence to use in encouraging drug-using women to avoid benzodiazepines during pregnancy and to reduce their methadone dosage. The treatment received from a specialist clinic may mitigate against some of the other recognised effects of drug use during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Liverpool Womens Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Siney
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ruben
mesh_terms: D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008691:Methadone