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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Methadone and perinatal outcomes: a prospective cohort study
Brian J Cleary1, Maeve Eogan, Michael P O'Connell
1Pharmacy Department, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Cork Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. bcleary@coombe.ie
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|February 21, 2012
Summary
Maternal methadone dose does not impact neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) duration. However, using other drugs like opiates, benzodiazepines, or cocaine with methadone during pregnancy leads to longer hospital stays for newborns with NAS.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in pregnancy is linked to adverse perinatal outcomes.
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a significant concern for infants exposed to methadone in utero.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between concomitant drug use and methadone dosage on perinatal outcomes.
- To assess the impact on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) severity and duration.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 117 pregnant women on MMT.
- Data collected on concomitant drug use, methadone dose, and perinatal outcomes.
- NAS outcomes included incidence, treatment, and hospitalization duration.
Main Results:
- While methadone dose did not affect NAS incidence or duration, concomitant drug use (opiates, benzodiazepines, cocaine) was associated with longer neonatal hospitalization.
- Neonates exposed to methadone-only had shorter hospitalizations compared to those with combined drug exposure.
- Higher methadone doses (≥80 mg) correlated with increased morphine treatment for NAS.
Conclusions:
- Maternal methadone dosage is not a predictor of NAS duration.
- Concomitant maternal opiate, benzodiazepine, or cocaine use significantly increases neonatal hospitalization duration.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing polysubstance use in pregnant women undergoing MMT.
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