The Importance of Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy

Abstract

During the ongoing opioid epidemic, it is crucial that pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive accepted medic al treatment w ith methadone or buprenorphine to prevent infections, overdose, and death in the pregnant person, as well as fetal death and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. Internists and other primary care physicians have an important role to play in ensuring that pregnant persons receive appropriate treatment for OUD. In this issue of JAMA Internal Medicine, Suarez et al 1 provide new information on the risk of major congenital abnormalities associated with use of methadone and buprenorphine during pregnancy. Given the importance of ensuring that pregnant people with OUD receive treatment during pregnancy and after birth, we have taken the unusual step of publishing 2 accompanying Invited Commentaries. 2,3