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Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Risk factors for preterm birth among opiate-addicted gravid women in a methadone treatment program
Christopher V Almario1, Neil S Seligman, Kevin C Dysart
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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.
Study Design:
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.
Conclusion:
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.
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The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...