Anesthesia of a drug-addicted pregnant woman. The current state of knowledge

Abstract

IntroductionStimulant use during pregnancy is a growing concern, particularly in the USA and Europe. This article explores anesthesia challenges in pregnant patients with substance abuse, optimizing analgesic treatment, and addressing newborns of addicted mothers. Understanding substance use differences is crucial for managing complications and providing long-term care.AimInvestigate anesthesia management, analgesic optimization, and care for newborns of drug-addicted pregnant patients.Material and methodsA comprehensive literature review included articles from PubMed (from January 2009 to December 2021) and relevant Polish, English, and German literature.Results and discussionOpioid use by pregnant women, especially in North America, raises concerns for maternal and child health. The incidence of newborns with withdrawal syndrome is rapidly increasing. Anesthesia challenges arise in managing pregnant patients with addiction, including analgesia optimization and reducing neonatal abstinence syndrome risk. Individualized approaches like regional anesthesia minimize systemic opioids and neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted therapy, e.g., buprenorphine and methadone, reduces illicit opioid use and improves outcomes for mother and baby. Collaborative care among providers is essential.ConclusionsManaging drug-addicted pregnant women requires a multidisciplinary approach. Anesthesia providers play a crucial role in ensuring safety and pain control.