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. 2020 Sep-Oct;16(5):351-356.
doi: 10.5055/jom.2020.0590.

Independent risk factors for chronic illicit substance use during pregnancy

Manuel C Vallejo  1 , Robert E Shapiro  2 , Mitchell W Lippy  3 , Christa L Lilly  4 , Leo R Brancazio  2
Affiliations

Independent risk factors for chronic illicit substance use during pregnancy

Manuel C Vallejo et al. J Opioid Manag. 2020 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to determine the incidence of chronic illicit substance use during pregnancy and to identify associated risk factors.

Design: A 2-year time-matched retrospective maternal quality control database (n = 4,470) analysis of parturients with chronic illicit substance use compared to controls.

Setting: A tertiary academic medical center located in a rural setting.

Results: The rate of chronic illicit substance use was 1.95 percent. Demographic factors associated with chronic illicit substance use in pregnancy-included lower body mass index (BMI; OR: 0.93; 95 percent CI: 0.89-0.96, p < 0.0001), higher gravidity (OR: 1.24; 95 percent CI: 1.13-1.36, p < 0.0001), higher parity (OR: 1.38; 95 percent CI: 1.22-1.57, p < 0.0001), and more live births (OR: 1.30; 95 percent CI: 1.16-1.46, p < 0.0001). A history of smoking (OR: 10.51; 95 percent CI: 5.69-19.42, p < 0.0001), alcohol use (OR: 48.98; 95 percent CI: 17.33-138.40, p < 0.0001), anxiety (OR: 1.88; 95 percent CI: 1.16-3.05, p = 0.01), depression (OR: 2.44; 95 percent CI: 1.55-3.85, p = 0.0001), transfer on admission (OR: 2.12; 95 percent CI: 1.16-3.87, p = 0.01), payor insurance (OR: 2.12, 95 percent CI: 2.10-5.04, p < 0.0001), and Apgar scores < 7 at 1 minute (OR: 0.50; 95 percent CI: 0.25-1.00, p = 0.049) were significant. Multiple variable logistic regression-revealed BMI, smoking, alcohol use, and Apgar score <7 at 1 minute as significant factors.

Conclusions: Awareness of these factors can assist in identifying and treating parturients with chronic illicit substance use.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration statement: The authors declare they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

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