Adverse Birth Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities by Substance Use...

Area of Science:

• Perinatal health research
• Disability studies
• Public health

Background:

• Research on substance use disorder (SUD) during pregnancy among women with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDDs) is limited.
• Understanding the impact of SUD on birth outcomes in this population is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between SUD and adverse birth outcomes in pregnant individuals with IDDs.
• To identify specific risks and inform clinical practice and public health strategies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 5,512 births from 2,445 mothers with IDDs in Utah (1996-2018).
• Analysis of outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, cesarean delivery, congenital anomalies, and NICU admission.
• Application of random-effects logistic regression models to assess associations.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of SUD among mothers with IDDs increased significantly from 8% in 1996 to 48% in 2018.
• SUD was associated with a 57% increased risk of preterm birth (OR = 1.57) and a 90% increased risk of low birth weight (OR = 1.90).
• Higher rates of cesarean delivery (OR = 2.22) were observed in the SUD group; no significant association with NICU admission was found (OR = 1.43).

Conclusions:

• Significant associations exist between SUD and adverse birth outcomes in pregnant individuals with IDDs.
• Findings emphasize the critical need for tailored interventions and enhanced prenatal care access for this group.
• Further research and policy development are warranted to address these disparities.