Risk factors for preterm birth among opiate-addicted gravid women in a methadone treatment program

OBJECTIVE: Prior studies noted elevated preterm birth (PTB) rates among opiate-addicted women treated with methadone We sought to determine the risk factors for PTB in this population. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of opiate-addicted gravid women treated with methadone who delivered a single neonate between 2000 and 2006 Variables evaluated as potential risk factors for PTB less than 37 weeks included medical and infectious comorbidities and "supplements to methadone" (illicit drugs and/or alcohol). RESULTS: The overall PTB rate was 29 1% (75/258). No medical or infectious comorbidity was predictive of PTB Among women abusing 0, 1. 2, or 3 or more supplements in addition to methadone, the PTB rate was 24 2% (reference), 25 5% (P = 50), 47.6% (P=.04), and 64 7% (P=.01), respectively CONCLUSION: The PTB rate among women on methadone (29.1%) is nearly 3 times the national average (11 1%), and those abusing 2 or more supplements to methadone are at further increased risk for PTB