Drug abuse in pregnancy: obstetric and neonatal problems. Ten years' experience

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Abstract
Drug abuse is an increasing problem and approximately 80% of female drug abusers are of childbearing age. This retrospective case note study reviews 10 years' experience of the management of pregnant drug abusers (n = 57) in the obstetric hospital of a London teaching hospital. Surprisingly, in view of other reports of high morbidity, no significantly increased rates of obstetric and neonatal problems were found when this group was compared with case‐matched controls. Thirty‐nine per cent of drug abusers managed to reduce and stop their drug use. However, 56% of the infants of drug abusers had withdrawal symptoms. Concern for her unborn child can motivate the pregnant drug abuser to comply with treatment and thus improve the outcome of pregnancy.