RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Substance abuse is a significant marker for perinatal morbidity in a population of women with poor prenatal care in Washington, DC
Ayman, D. C., Katz, K., Abedin, M., El-Khorazaty, M., & El-Mohandes, AAE. (1996). Substance abuse is a significant marker for perinatal morbidity in a population of women with poor prenatal care in Washington, DC. Pediatric Research, 262. https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-01583
Poor prenatal care (PNC) is an important risk factor for perinatal morbidity. This study defines the additive risk of substance abuse (SA) during pregnancy in a population of 480 D.C. residents with no/poor PNC. Poor PNC was identified if care was initiated after 24 weeks, or less than 5 visits. 35% of these post partum women showed evidence of substance abuse during pregnancy by history and/or urine testing. The two groups are compared below (results expressed as mean ±S.E.M.) The relative risk (RR) for prematurity in women with SA and no/poor PNC was 2.7, (95% C.I. = 1.6-3.8, p<0.0001). The attributable risk fraction (ARF) for LBW associated with SA in this population was 31%. The RR for LBW in women with SA and no/poor PNC was 2.6 (95% C.I. = 1.5-3.63, p<0.0001). The ARF for prematurity associated with SA in this population was 32%. We conclude that women with no/poor PNC who abuse substances during pregnancy are at exquisitely high risk for poor outcomes and deserve to be targeted specifically in programs designed to reduce perinatal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. [1996 Abstracts The American Pediatric Society and The Society for Pediatric Research #1560]