Risk factors for preterm birth among opiate-addicted gravid women in a methadone treatment program.
OBJECTIVE
Prior studies noted elevated preterm birth (PTB) rates among opiate-addicted women treated with methadone. We sought to determine the risk factors for PTB in this population.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective cohort study of opiate-addicted gravid women treated with methadone who delivered a single neonate between 2000 and 2006. Variables evaluated as potential risk factors for PTB less than 37 weeks included medical and infectious comorbidities and "supplements to methadone" (illicit drugs and/or alcohol).


RESULTS
The overall PTB rate was 29.1% (75/258). No medical or infectious comorbidity was predictive of PTB. Among women abusing 0, 1, 2, or 3 or more supplements in addition to methadone, the PTB rate was 24.2% (reference), 25.5% (P = .50), 47.6% (P = .04), and 64.7% (P = .01), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The PTB rate among women on methadone (29.1%) is nearly 3 times the national average (11.1%), and those abusing 2 or more supplements to methadone are at further increased risk for PTB.
Almario
Christopher V
CV
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Seligman
Neil S
NS
Dysart
Kevin C
KC
Berghella
Vincenzo
V
Baxter
Jason K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone