Buprenorphine and pregnancy. Analysis of 24 cases

Background. - Maintenance therapy of drug-addict mothers with medical and p sychosocial support may reduce complications (prematurity, growth retardati on, fetal distress and fetal death). Methadone has been widely used during pregnancy with beneficial effects. Buprenorphine (BUP) is used more and mor e and shows the same beneficial effects. Patients and method. - Twenty-four pregnant women received BUP and their in fants were enrolled in the study. Thirteen retrospective (GI) and 11 prospe ctive (GII) cases were studied. In the GII, the women were treated and foll owed up in an interdisciplinary manner. Results. - Complications in GII were less frequent than in GI: 9 vs 30% of prematurity, 9 vs 46% of fetal growth retardation and 0 vs 23% of acute fet al distress. However, the frequency of withdrawal syndrome was the same in both groups, 63 vs 69%, though improvements came more rapidly in GII. Conclusion. - This study shows that the use of BUP during pregnancy, combin ed with medical and psychosocial support, may reduce addiction complication s. This support has to be maintained after the birth. (C) 1999 Editions sci entifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.