Substance misuse in pregnancy

Abstract

Most studies suggest that licit and illicit substance misuse has an adverse effect on pregnancy outcome. However, interpretation of many studies is complicated by the failure to control for important co-morbid reproductive risk factors and a publication bias towards positive findings. This article analyses research into the substances most commonly misused in pregnancy to determine the degree to which they directly affect obstetric outcome. Although substance misuse is a clear marker for high risk' pregnancy, it remains unclear whether many of these substances are directly responsible for the adverse consequences associated with them.