Association of Gestational Opioid Exposure and Risk of Major and Minor Congenital Malformations

Source:

Wen X, Belviso N, Murray E, Lewkowitz AK, Ward KE, Meador KJ. Association of Gestational Opioid Exposure and Risk of Major and Minor Congenital Malformations. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(4):e215708. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5708

Key Points

Question  Is there an association between prenatal prescription opioid exposure and the risk of major and minor congenital malformations?

Findings  In this cohort study of 12 424 pregnancies, 891 women were dispensed prescription opioids during pregnancy. Opioid exposure in trimester 1 was not associated with major birth defects, but women dispensed opioids in trimester 3 had higher risks of offspring with minor birth defects in the musculoskeletal system.

Meaning  The study findings suggest a higher risk of minor congenital malformations in the musculoskeletal system that is associated with prenatal prescription opioid exposure in the third trimester; this risk appears to be dose-dependent.