Reduced fetal growth in methadone-maintained pregnancies is not fully explained by smoking or socio-economic deprivation

MacTier, H., Shipton, D., Dryden, C. and Tappin, D. M. (2014) Reduced fetal growth in methadone-maintained pregnancies is not fully explained by smoking or socio-economic deprivation. Addiction, 109(3), pp. 482-488. (doi: 10.1111/add.12400) (PMID:24321028)

Abstract

Aim: To determine if reduced fetal growth in infants of opioid-dependent mothers prescribed methadone maintenance in pregnancy is explained by cigarette smoking or socio-economic deprivation.<p></p> Design: Retrospective cohort study.<p></p> Setting: Inner-city maternity unit in Scotland.<p></p> Participants: A total of 366 singleton infants of methadone-prescribed opioid-dependent mothers compared with the Scottish birth population (n = 103 366) as a whole.<p></p> Measurements: Primary outcome measures were birth weight and head circumference.<p></p> Findings: In infants of methadone-prescribed opioid-dependent mothers mean birth weight was 259 g [95% confidence interval (CI) 214–303 g; P < 0.0001] less, and mean head circumference 1.01 cm (95% CI 0.87–1.15 cm; P < 0.0001) less than in controls, allowing for gestation, cigarette smoking, area deprivation, infant sex and maternal age and parity. This represents an adjusted difference of −0.61 (95% CI −0.52–−0.71; P < 0.0001) Z-score in mean birth weight and −0.77 (95% CI −0.66–−0.89; P < 0.0001) Z-score in mean head circumference.<p></p> Conclusions: Reduced fetal growth in infants of opioid-dependent mothers prescribed methadone maintenance in pregnancy is not fully explained by cigarette smoking, area deprivation, maternal age or parity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tappin, Professor David and MacTier, Dr Helen and Shipton, Dr Deborah
• Authors: MacTier, H., Shipton, D., Dryden, C., and Tappin, D. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Addiction
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 0965-2140
• ISSN (Online): 1360-0443