Healthcare professionals prescribe opioids to pregnant women as they are strong painkillers. Opioid use can cause several complications, such as preterm birth, stillbirth, and neuropsychiatric disorders in babies. However, a new study from South Korea has found that opioid use during pregnancy does not increase the significant risk of neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in babies.  Â
This research was published in The BMJ today and revealed that the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders was slightly increased in babies whose mothers were prescribed more than one opioid, taken high doses, and used opioids over a longer time.  Â
This study collected data from 3,128,571 infants born between 2010 and 2017 and 2,299,664 mothers, with an average age of 32, from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. The research lasted for 6 years, during which time researchers monitored the babies’ health.  Â
In this study, researchers divided mothers into groups based on how many opioids they were prescribed, how often they took them, and for how long during their pregnancy. Researchers considered other factors, such as the mother’s age, income, and health conditions. They also considered the sex of babies, weight, and breastfeeding.  Â
When researchers observed collected data, they found that 216,012 babies (almost 7%) were exposed to opioids as their mothers took them during pregnancy. They found a slightly higher risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in those babies whose mothers took opioids as compared to those who did not. However, researchers think this risk is clinically insignificant. When researchers tried to understand the difference between the risk for siblings who were or were not exposed to opioids, it remained the same.  Â
Researchers also found that the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders was a bit higher in babies whose mothers took opioids during the first three months of pregnancy, at higher doses, or for more than 60 days. In these babies, they found the risk of ADHD, mood disorders, and intellectual disabilities was slightly increased.  Â
As this research clearly shows that opioid use can slightly increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, healthcare professionals should be aware of this while prescribing any opioid painkillers to pregnant women. Even though the results of this research are helpful, there is a need for more research to understand these risks better and help healthcare professionals make the best decisions for pregnant women who are in pain. Â
Reference Link:Â Â Â
Prenatal opioid exposure and subsequent risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in children: nationwide birth cohort study in South Korea, The BMJ (2024).  Â
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-077664Â Â
Â
