Effect of Maternal Methadone Use on Neonatal Outcomes: Results of a Cohort Study

Background: Substance abuse treatment is challenging in pregnancy, and methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) a therapeutic choice. Methadone can cross the placenta poorly secreted breast milk. Given these inconsistent findings of effect on neonatal outcomes, this study was done to investigate results neonates mothers treated with Mashhad. Methods: In retrospective cohort study, referring two academic hospitals Mashhad University Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran were studied. Three groups considered: MMT, other drug abusers, healthy control. Maternal information, including demographic characteristics, fertility treatment-related characteristics assessed. Results: Overall, 122 pregnant women mean age 29.14 ± 4.44 years studied three groups: control (n = 59), MMT 32), abusers 31). Baseline (mothers’ age, residence, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid diseases) not different between groups. The highest history miscarriage seen (35.5%) (P 0.023). weight, height, head circumference group significantly higher than < 0.001), drugs 0.001). prevalence malformations (16.1%) hospitalization NICU (51.6%) observed infants abusers. After adjusting for confounding variables, odds ratio (OR) low-birth-weight 13.7 1946 compared group. OR less 50cm height 11.4 22.5 drugs. Besides, 35cm 4.7 7.3 Conclusions: Although who used had rate inappropriate intrauterine growth indices group, consumption reduced unacceptable outcomes neonates. Increased gestational preterm delivery risk methadone-treated mothers.