ARE INFANTS EXPOSED TO METHADONE IN UTERO AT AN INCREASED RISK FOR MORTALITY

Background The prevalence of opioid abuse is increasing in North America. Opioid abuse during pregnancy can cause medical, obstetric and psychosocial complications. Neonates exposed to opioids in utero often develop the neonatal abstinence syndrome. Methadone maintenance therapy is the treatment of choice for maternal opioid dependency. There have been unsupported concerns that infants cared for by mothers treated with methadone have higher mortality rates during the first year of life than in the general population.