{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Intrauterine exposure to maternal opioid maintenance treatment and associated risk factors may impair child growth.
{Author}: Kanervo M;Luoto L;Tupola S;Nikkola E;Kahila H;Rantakari K;
{Journal}: Acta Paediatr
{Volume}: 113
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 8
{Factor}: 4.056
{DOI}: 10.1111/apa.17198
{Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: How maternal opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) affects children is under-researched. This population-based registry study investigated child growth and somatic health following intrauterine exposure to this treatment.
METHODS: Children born between 1 March 2011 and 30 May 2021 to mothers who used buprenorphine, buprenorphine-naloxone, or methadone throughout their pregnancies were followed for 2 years at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare the treatment groups.
RESULTS: Of the 67 neonates, 52% were male, 96% were born full-term and 63% were treated for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Otherwise, the children were predominantly healthy, although relatively small: 22% were small for gestational age, the methadone group children being the smallest. Foetal exposure to maternal methadone treatment, illicit drugs, hepatitis C and smoking were associated with small for gestational age; the former two were also associated with later slower growth, especially head growth and weight gain (p < 0.001). However, 29% were overweight at 2 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Using child growth as the outcome, we found that buprenorphine-naloxone and buprenorphine-monotherapy had equal effects as forms of maternal OMT. Exposure to multiple risk factors may harm foetal and subsequent growth. We recommend long-term follow-up of children exposed to maternal OMT.