DRUG-ADDICTION, SMOKING AND FETAL GROWTH-RETARDATION

Illicit drug abuse, as well as smoking, are known risk factors in the development of intrauterine growth retardation. In an attempt to clarify the influence of these two aetiological factors, a retrospective analysis was carried out. 35 drug- and nicotine-addicted pregnant women were compared to 104 smokers and 101 non-smoking controls with regard to foetal outcome. Relative risk estimates for intrauterine growth retardation of the drug and nicotine group were 3.14 (95 % confidence limits 1.88-5.25; p = 0.0001) whereas the smoking group had 1.39 (95 % confidence limits 0.96-2.02; p = 0.0482) compared to non-smoking controls. The foetal outcome was best in the latter group: children of drug-addicted mothers had a considerably higher morbidity and mortality rate. This study shows an almost threefold risk for intrauterine growth retardation in drug-addicts who smoke, compared to nicotine abuse alone.