Maternal and obstetrical data in a retrospective cohort of 170 newborns from polydrug using mothers, in the Paris area, 1999-2008.
Polydrug use in pregnancy is harmful. This survey aimed to explore the issue of the associations of substances during pregnancy and to determine the consumer profiles. One hundred and seventy newborns whose mothers were psychoactive substances users were identified over the period 1999 to 2008. The data relating to maternal consumption, their reproductive history, and their living environment were collated. At the end of their pregnancy, the mothers reported using on average 3.14 substances. Three profiles were determined 65 women were heroin users or had consumed it in their lifetime and were currently on substitution treatment, and had a very unfavourable social living environment 30 women were mainly consumers of alcohol, with or without benzodiazepines or other psychotropic drugs, and had a history of abortions 75 women were mainly tobacco and cannabis smokers, with or without substitution treatment, had good social living conditions and had wanted the pregnancy. Polydrug use increases the risk for the women to avoid prenatal care and is often linked with a history of abortions.