Mortality Within the First 2 Years in Infants Exposed to Cocaine, Opiate, or Cannabinoid During Gestation

Abstract

We conclude that prenatal drug exposure in infants, although associated with a high perinatal morbidity, is not associated with an overall increase in their mortality rate or incidence of SIDS during the first 2 years of life. However, a significantly higher mortality rate was observed among low birth weight infants (</=2500 g) who were positive for both cocaine and opiate.

Mortality Risk Associated with Perinatal Drug and Alcohol Use in California

“…18 Another study reported no increased risk of postneonatal mortality or incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in cocaine-, opiate-or cannabinoid-exposed infants in the first 2 years of life. 19 Researchers have also looked at the association between parental drug and alcohol use and child maltreatment, which demonstrated an increase in morbidity and mortality in children. 20,21 In addition, alcohol use during pregnancy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in infants and children.…”

Management of neonatal abstinence syndrome: a national survey and review of practice

“…Seizures are described in 2–11% of symptomatic infants in some published series 2 – 4. Drug-exposed newborns have increased neonatal mortality from sudden infant death syndrome in the short term,5 particularly in the low birthweight infant 6. Long-term morbidity occurs in this population with regard to adverse neurodevelopmental outcome,7 – 9 strabismus10 and teratogenic effects, most notably those of cocaine (genitourinary),11 amphetamines (cardiac, gastroschisis)12 13 and alcohol (facial and ocular).…”

Distribution of prenatal and postnatal risk factors for sudden infant death in Budapest

“…Maternal cigarette smoking is established as a major dosedependent risk factor for SIDS (13,14). The large-scale use of stimulants (coffee, alcohol, opiates, cannabis derivatives) before and after the pregnancy has also proved to have an unfavourable effect (15). Breast-feeding has a protective function against sudden death, as a higher frequency of SIDS has been observed in bottle-feeding (10).…”