Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Increase Opioid Use During Pregnancy [ID: 1368263

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked with a myriad of adverse health outcomes and problematic health behaviors including depression, tobacco use, alcohol use, and illicit drug use. Although studies have drawn a connection between ACEs and substance use in adulthood, there is limited research on whether ACEs are associated with prescription opioids during pregnancy. The current study examines the relationship between ACEs and prescription opioid use during pregnancy using representative data from live births from two states. METHODS: This study uses data on 2,999 individuals from the 2019 and 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from North Dakota and South Dakota. Multiple logistic regression is used to assess the relationship between ACEs and prescription opioid use during pregnancy. RESULTS: The prevalence of prescription opioid use increases alongside accumulating ACEs. Compared to those with no ACEs, recent mothers with three or more ACEs have approximately a 2.4 greater odds of prescription opioid use during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio 2.437, 95% CI: 1.319, 4.503). CONCLUSION: Given the potential harms of prescription opioid use during pregnancy, the findings suggest the need for additional research to better understand the mechanisms that link ACEs and prescription opioid use during pregnancy, as well as how to best support those with ACEs exposure in a trauma-informed manner to reduce the risk of substance use.