Abstract
The impact of maternal drug dependency on neonatal morphometrics was studied in 150 mother-infant and 150 concurrent control pairs. The maternal population included 121 methadone-maintained women, of whom 80 abused other drugs concomitantly; the remaining 29 women used multiple street drugs. Mean birth weight of the passively addicted neonates(PA)(2.80 kg ± 0.55) (SD) differed significantly from controls(C)(3.25 kg ± 0.59)(p<.001). Mean head circumference of PA infants(32.6 cm ± 1.8)also differed significantly from C(33.8 cm ± 1.7)(p < .001). Mean weight and head circumference of PA newborns fell at the 25th percentile for gestational age, differing from the C group value(50-75th percentile)(p<001). Mean gestational age(PA 38.9 wks ± 2.2 vs C 39.3 wks ± 2.3) and prematurity rates(10% PA vs 7% C)did not differ, but IUGR was increased to 20% in the PA group vs 4% C(P < .001). Within the PA group, selected perinatal variables of maternal age, parity, weight gain during pregnancy, polydrug abuse, methadone dosage, and duration of drug and alcohol use were not significantly associated with either birth weight or head circumference.
This demonstration of symmetrical IUGR in PA infants and the known association of small head size at birth with reduced neurobehavioral outcome mandates greater concern for “optimal” methadone maintenance during pregnancy.
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Kandall, S., Doberczak, T., Weinberger, S. et al. IMPACT OF DRUG DEPENDENCY DURING PREGNANCY ON NEONATAL MORPHOMETRICS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 154 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00364
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00364
