[Psychoactive substance use during pregnancy: a review].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Obstetrics

Context:

• Increasing psychoactive substance use during pregnancy globally presents significant public health challenges.
• Prevalence data for tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine use during pregnancy are often underestimated or unknown, particularly in regions like France.
• Current estimation methods rely heavily on self-reported data, which may lack accuracy regarding the quantity of substances used.

Purpose:

• To highlight the underestimation of psychoactive substance use during pregnancy and the need for more accurate data collection.
• To emphasize the methodological limitations in current epidemiological studies on substance use during pregnancy.
• To underscore the importance of identifying risk factors for early detection and intervention.

Summary:

• Estimates suggest 20-30% of pregnant women use tobacco, 15% alcohol, 3-10% cannabis, and 0.5-3% cocaine.
• Prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy is often unknown or underestimated, with varying methodologies and reliance on maternal interviews.
• Biological measurements in maternal blood, hair, or newborn meconium are needed for more accurate assessment.

Impact:

• Inaccurate prevalence data hinder targeted prevention campaigns and the implementation of specialized maternal and child healthcare for high-risk populations.
• Consumption of substances during pregnancy can lead to severe consequences for fetal development, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a leading cause of mental retardation in France.
• Further research is essential to improve understanding and develop effective interventions for substance use during pregnancy.