Methadone maintenance program in pregnancy in a Swiss perinatal center (II): neonatal outcome and social resources.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to analyze the neonatal impact of a methadone maintenance program in pregnancy, and the social resources of the families involved.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis of neonatal data in live births after 24 weeks of gestation in pregnant women enrolled in a methadone maintenance program. The data of 86 babies were analyzed.


RESULTS
Median gestational age was 38 (0)/(7) (31-41) weeks; 21 babies (24%) were premature. Median birthweight was 2662 (1340-4050) g; 27% of babies were growth retarded (<3rd centile), and 13% had microcephaly (<3rd centile). Sixty-two percent developed abstinence syndrome requiring pharmacological treatment for a median 47 days. Child Protective Services (CPS) were involved in 56% of cases, and 42% of newborns required placement outside the mother's home.


CONCLUSIONS
Babies born to women on methadone had a fourfold higher incidence of prematurity, a ninefold higher incidence of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and a fourfold higher incidence of microcephaly compared with the normal population. Sixty-two percent required pharmacological treatment for abstinence syndrome and 42% required placement.
Arlettaz
Romaine
R
Clinic of Neonatology, Zurich University Hospital, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. Romaine.Arlettaz@usz.ch
Kashiwagi
Maki
M
Das-Kundu
Seema
S
Fauchère
Jean-Claude
JC
Lang
Anette
A
Bucher
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018743:Perinatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology
D008691:Methadone