Timing of MAT Initiation among Pregnant Patients with OUD & Outcomes for their Opioid-Exposed Newborns
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
The opioid epidemic is a major public health concern and of paramount importance for pregnant patients, as untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) can lead to negative outcomes for the patient and infant. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, via secondary analysis of an opioid-exposed newborn database, to compare newborn outcomes in a cohort of opioid-dependent pregnant patients treated with medications for addiction treatment (MAT), initiated pre- vs. during pregnancy. Our results suggest that initiation of MAT in patients with OUD prior to pregnancy decreases newborn exposure to illicit drugs and non-prescribed opioids in-utero without negative impacts on infant growth parameters.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Valerie Harder
Secondary Mentor Name
Dr. Michelle Shepard
Status
Medical Students
Student College
Larner College of Medicine
Program/Major
Undeclared Major
Primary Research Category
Health Sciences
Timing of MAT Initiation among Pregnant Patients with OUD & Outcomes for their Opioid-Exposed Newborns
The opioid epidemic is a major public health concern and of paramount importance for pregnant patients, as untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) can lead to negative outcomes for the patient and infant. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, via secondary analysis of an opioid-exposed newborn database, to compare newborn outcomes in a cohort of opioid-dependent pregnant patients treated with medications for addiction treatment (MAT), initiated pre- vs. during pregnancy. Our results suggest that initiation of MAT in patients with OUD prior to pregnancy decreases newborn exposure to illicit drugs and non-prescribed opioids in-utero without negative impacts on infant growth parameters.