Neonatal outcomes associated with tobacco, alcohol, and crack use during pregnancy in three Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of substance use during pregnancy, studies focusing exclusively on Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) admissions remain limited. This study investigates the impact of maternal use of tobacco, alcohol, and/or crack, on neonatal outcomes among infants admitted to three Brazilian NICUs. Additionally, the investigation explores the impact of substance use on DNA damage in newborns.Over a one-year period, data from 254 newborns were collected through medical records, accompanied by blood samples. Findings revealed that 16.1% of newborns had mothers reporting substance use during pregnancy. Significant associations were found between maternal substance use and adverse neonatal outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, and sexually transmitted infections. Maternal variables linked to substance use encompassed non-white skin color, low education, non-masonry housing, lower income, diseases in other children, and fewer prenatal consultations. Notably, neonatal DNA damage showed no significant association with substance use. Our results underscore the substantial impact of maternal substance use on NICU-admitted infants, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions that address both neonatal health and maternal well-being, thereby underscoring the crucial role of comprehensive care in NICU settings.