title: Short-term outcomes of mothers and newborn infants with comorbid psychiatric disorders and drug dependency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics and short-term outcomes of mother-infant pairs with comorbid drug dependency and psychiatric disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based retrospective chart review was carried out of 879 drug-dependent mother and infant pairs in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) who delivered between 1 January and 31 December 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Psychiatric comorbidity (dual diagnosis, DD) was identified in 396 (45%) of the 879 drug-dependent women. DSM-IV depression (79%), followed by anxiety (20%), was most prevalent. DD women were more likely to use amphetamines (29% vs 18%, p < 0.05), less likely to use opiates (42% vs 51%, p < 0.05) and to have had no antenatal care (24% vs 8%, p < 0.05). They also had more previous pregnancies (4, range = 2-5 vs 3, range = 2-5, p < 0.05) and domestic violence (29% vs 14%, p < 0.05) was more common. DD infants were less likely to be admitted to a nursery (47% vs 55%, p < 0.05). Withdrawal scores were similar (maximum median Finnegan scores = 4 (interquartile range = 3-8) vs 10 (interquartile range = 7-12, p = 0.30) but fewer needed withdrawal medication (19% vs 27%, p < 0.05). Maternal psychotropic agents did not worsen the severity of neonatal withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatric comorbidity, especially depression, is common and affects almost half of drug-using mothers. Antenatal care, drug use and social outcomes are worse for DD mothers and their infants. It is recommended that all drug-using women be assessed antenatally for psychosocial disorders so that timely mental health intervention can be offered, if required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, NSW, Australia. ju.oei@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Ju Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: Mohamed E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abdel-Latif
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Aivy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: Marie-Paule
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs