United States: Based on the latest finding, there is not really an association between the use of opioids anymore during pregnancy as prescribed by health authorities and the possibility of a child being born with developmental conditions, such as ADHD.
More about the study
Dong Keon Yon, the research team lead and a professor of pediatrics at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, said, “A slightly increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders was found, but this should not be considered clinically meaningful.” It is because the range of the disorder was limited to mothers who are on more than one opioid, which is often high doses, prescribed for a long period of time.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 7 percent of women in the US are asked to take Opioids when being pregnant.
According to previous studies, mixed findings regarding opioids taken during pregnancy have been noticed and about many health-related problems in children. However, those studies were mostly based on small size of samples and short follow-up periods.
How was the latest study conducted?
Through intensive analysis with the health data of over 3.1 million babies born in South Korea during the period 2010 to 2017 and that of 2.3 million mothers, the case researchers have created an all-inclusive and robust investigation, according to US News report.
Moms were grouped on the timing, quantity, and frequency of opioid prescriptions. Moreover, the babies were followed for an average of six years after delivery.
The scientists noted that about 7 percent of infants came in contact with opioids while in the developmental stage of their mother’s womb.
The results of the study were published on April 24 and published in the BMJ.
Findings of the study
The team managed to reveal a weak and, however, clinically unworthy increased risk of developmental disorders in children born to opioid-exposed mothers.
First-trimester usage of high-dose opioids for two or more months was linked to higher chances of developing mood disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability, according to scientists.
However, the scientists found no major effect of opioid exposure revealed when comparing the effect on kids exposed to opioids with siblings who didn’t have such exposure, results show.
The scientific team said, “These results support cautious opioid prescribing for relief of pain during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of further research for more definitive guidelines,” US News reported.