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Opioid Use in Pregnancy Doubles
2 Jan
Summary
- Opioid use among expecting mothers more than doubled from 2008 to 2020.
- Women using opioids during pregnancy face higher risks of delivery complications.
- Infants born to opioid-using mothers have a significantly increased risk of mortality.
The rate of opioid use among pregnant women has more than doubled over the past decade, with a study showing a rise from 0.14% in 2008 to 0.33% in 2020. This alarming trend, tracked through over 5.5 million pregnancies in California, highlights significant risks for both mothers and newborns.
Women who used opioids during pregnancy were found to be twice as likely to experience delivery complications and 71% more prone to preterm births. The study also indicated a 72% higher risk of infant mortality and a 2.8 times greater likelihood of requiring neonatal intensive care for their babies.
Experts emphasize that addiction medicine must become an integral part of prenatal care, addressing barriers to treatment for pregnant individuals. Early intervention and personalized, multidisciplinary care are crucial for improving outcomes for these families.
