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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Current trends in narcotic use in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes
Ann Kellogg1, Carl H Rose, Roger H Harms
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends and prevalence of chronic prescription narcotic use during pregnancy and the subsequent neonatal outcomes.
Study Design:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all deliveries at Mayo Clinic from 1998 through 2009; the data was obtained from prospectively maintained obstetrics and neonatal databases.
Results:
Over the study time period, there were 26,314 deliveries; 167 women used prescription narcotics chronically during pregnancy. The prevalence of women who used chronic narcotics during their pregnancy increased over the time period from 1998-2009 (P < .0001). Neonatal withdrawal syndrome occurred in 10 of neonates (5.6%), and all but 1 of these neonates required pharmacologic treatment for the disease.
Conclusion:
Chronic narcotic use during pregnancy is increasing in prevalence. Neonatal withdrawal syndrome occurred in 5.6% of the exposed neonates. Although neonatal withdrawal syndrome is uncommon, it is clinically significant. Physicians need to consider the risks and benefits carefully when prescribing narcotic pain medications during pregnancy.
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