title: Profile of infants born to drug-using mothers: a state-wide audit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the characteristics and short-term outcomes of infants born to illicit drug-using mothers in public hospitals in the state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory during 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were identified retrospectively by hospital records searches using ICD-10 morbidity codes and records of local Drug and Alcohol Services. Records were reviewed on site. All public hospitals (n= 101) with obstetric services were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 879 (1.4%, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-1.5%) drug-using mothers were identified from 62,682 confinements. Opiates (46.8%), amphetamines (23.0%) and polydrug (16.4%) exposure were most common. There were eight stillbirths. Among these 871 infants, prematurity (23.6%) and low birthweight (27.1%) were common and 51.1% were admitted to nurseries for further care. Two infants died. Major congenital anomalies were detected in 15 infants. Pharmacological treatment for withdrawal was required for 202 (23.2%), and 143 (70.8%) infants were discharged home on medication. Infants who completed inpatient pharmacological treatment were hospitalised longer (median 26.0 vs. 12.0 days) and were more likely to be premature (37.3 vs. 14.0%). Child-at-risk notifications affected 40.6% of the infants, and 7.6% were fostered prior to discharge. A total of 333 (38.2%) infants were breastfed at discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our regional study highlights a substantial prevalence of drug use in pregnancy with considerable adverse perinatal and hospital outcomes in infants born to these mothers. Coordinated health care and resources are needed to support these mother-infant pairs because of their social, medical and mental-health issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohamed E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abdel-Latif
authors.forename: Julee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D020958:Australian Capital Territory / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008485:Medical Audit; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009357:Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009020:Morphine; D010634:Phenobarbital