What is it about?
We examined the effects of in-utero exposure to maternal opioid maintenance treatment as well as other risk factors on child growth and somatic health from birth to two years of age. Our findings indicate that methadone maintenance treatment, illicit drug use, and hepatitis C during pregnancy were associated with poor child growth, particularly in terms of head growth.
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Why is it important?
The impact of opioid maintenance treatment using buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone, or methadone throughout the pregnancy on child growth is not well-studied. We found that buprenorphine-naloxone and buprenorphine-monotherapy had equal effects as forms of maternal opioid maintenance treatment. Instead, exposure to multiple risk factors may harm fetal and subsequent growth. Further, one in three children was overweight at two years of age, which requires attention in healthcare.
Perspectives
Undertaking this research has inspired me. It was great to make new observations, which may be important for future research. It is important to note, however, that our small sample size must be taken into account when examining the results.
Minna Kanervo
University of Helsinki
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Intrauterine exposure to maternal opioid maintenance treatment and associated risk factors may impair child growth, Acta Paediatrica, March 2024, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/apa.17198.
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