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Cohort profile: Mothers who use substances and their children in British Columbia, Canada

Lindsay A Wilson1, Noah Katsuno2,3, Megan Kurz2,3

  • 1School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Plos One
|May 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes a British Columbia cohort of mothers with substance use disorders and their children to investigate health outcomes and treatment effectiveness. Findings highlight critical needs for improved services and support for this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Perinatal substance use presents a significant public health challenge in British Columbia.
  • A population-based cohort was created using linked health administrative data to address this issue.
  • The cohort supports research on specialized care, medication effectiveness for opioid use disorder, and child health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of specialized acute care for pregnant individuals with substance use.
  • To compare the effectiveness of different medication regimens for perinatal opioid use disorder (OUD).
  • To examine the longitudinal association between maternal substance use and child health.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort in British Columbia, Canada, was established.
  • Included individuals who delivered between April 1, 2000, and March 31, 2022, with substance use indicators.
  • Linked data from ten databases covering demographics, healthcare, drug dispensations, and health outcomes for mothers and children.

Main Results:

  • Identified 38,670 mothers with substance use disorders and 45,823 children.
  • Median follow-up of 9 years.
  • Mothers ranged in age from <19 to 45 years at delivery, with documented high morbidity and mortality in both mothers and children.

Conclusions:

  • The growing population of mothers with substance use disorder necessitates urgent attention in British Columbia.
  • This retrospective cohort data will inform service design and advocate for client needs.
  • Highlights the critical need for enhanced support and services for this population.
Abstract

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