DRUG-ABUSE IN PREGNANCY - OBSTETRIC AND NEONATAL PROBLEMS - 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Drug abuse is an increasing problem and approximately 80% of female dr ug abusers are of childbearing age. This retrospective case note study reviews 10 years' experience of the management of pregnant drug abuse rs (n=57) in the obstetric hospital of a London teaching hospital, Sur prisingly, in view of other reports of high morbidity, no significantl y increased rates of obstetric and neonatal problems were found when t his group was compared with case-matched controls. Thirty-nine per cen t of drug abusers managed to reduce and stop their drug use, However, 56% of the infants of drug abusers had withdrawal symptoms, Concern fo r her unborn child can motivate the pregnant drug abuser to comply wit h treatment and thus improve the outcome of pregnancy.