Polydrug use during pregnancy and neonatal outcome: Data from a ten-year retrospective French study

Simmat-Durand, Laurence; Lejeune, C

doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2012.02.002

Cited by 10 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(26 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Vulnerabilities identified, such as younger age at birth of first child, mental health problems and patterns of substance use have previously been found to be related to care proceedings and child maltreatment [ 38 – 40 ]. Other studies looking at mothers who have lost the care of their infant also report greater drug [ 41 , 42 ] and alcohol use during pregnancy [ 43 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal health, pregnancy and birth outcomes for women involved in care proceedings in Wales: a linked data study

Griffiths

Johnson

Broadhurst

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Under the Children Act 1989, local authorities in Wales, UK, can issue care proceedings if they are concerned about the welfare of a child, which can lead to removal of a child from parents. For mothers at risk of child removal, timely intervention during pregnancy may avert the need for this and improve maternal/fetal health; however, little is known about this specific population during the antenatal period. The study examined maternity characteristics of mothers whose infants were subject to care proceedings, with the aim of informing preventative interventions targeted at high risk mothers. Methods Anonymised administrative data from Cafcass Cymru, who provide child-focused advice and support for family court proceedings in Wales, were linked to population-based maternity and health records held within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. Linked data were available for 1111 birth mothers of infants involved in care proceedings between 2015 and 2018. Findings were benchmarked with reference to an age-deprivation-matched comparison group (n = 23,414), not subject to care proceedings but accessing maternity services during this period. Demographic characteristics, maternal health, reproductive history, interaction with midwifery services, and pregnancy and birth outcomes were examined. Descriptive and statistical tests of independence were used. Results Half of the women in the cohort (49.4%) resided in the most deprived areas. They were more likely to be younger at entry to motherhood (63.5% < 21 years-of-age compared to 42.7% in the comparison group), to have mental health (28.6% compared to 8.2%) and substance use issues (10.4% compared to 0.6%) and to smoke (62.7% compared to 24.8%) during pregnancy. The majority first engaged with maternity services within their first trimester of pregnancy (63.5% compared to 84.4%). Babies were more likely to be born preterm (14.2% compared to 6.7%) and, for full-term babies, to have low birthweights (8.0% compared to 2.8%). Conclusion This novel linkage study highlights multiple vulnerabilities experienced by pregnant mothers who have experienced care proceedings concerning an infant. Policy and practice colleagues require a clearer picture of women’s needs if child protection and health services are to offer effective services which prevent the need for family court proceedings and infant removal.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal health, pregnancy and birth outcomes for women involved in care proceedings in Wales: a linked data study

Griffiths

Johnson

Broadhurst

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…69 Concurrent polydrug use may potentiate the adverse effects of methadone on the fetus and newborn. 17,35,70,71 Tobacco usage has ranged between 58 and 88%, 22,25,41,58 and has been reported to have a positive association with the timing and severity of NAS. 72 Benzodiazepines have been associated with higher required maternal methadone dosage, 40 as well as an increased risk and severity for NAS.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%