Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Opioid Abuse In Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Emily Sebunia, Colleen Fearon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Prenatal opioid abuse is a serious public health concern and linked with numerous health consequences for both mothers and children. Despite research describing negative outcomes of drug use during pregnancy, it is still a prevalent problem in the United States, with researchers finding that women are at highest risk for substance abuse during their reproductive years. Opioid abuse during pregnancy is common, including opioids such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and heroin. Use of these drugs results in both short and long term side effects for the mother and child. Therefore, the prevalence of this problem should not be underestimated. …