The Impact of Self-Reported Alcohol, Tobacco, and Recreational Drug Use during Pregnancy on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in First-Time Mothers

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to derive profiles of alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug use during pregnancy for first-time mothers with latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and determine the association of these classes with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO).

Study Design: A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of Nulliparous Outcomes in Pregnancy: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be was conducted in eight medical centers across the United States from September 30, 2010, to September 23, 2013. Self-reported use of any alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs in the 1 month prior to the visit was assessed at up to four visits throughout pregnancy, and APOs included a composite of preterm birth, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP), small for gestational age (SGA) infant, or stillbirth, and each adverse outcome separately.

Results: Four latent classes were identified from the LCGA for 10,031 nulliparous pregnant women that were on average 26.9 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 5.7) and mostly non-Hispanic White (59.7%). Classes included consistent tobacco users (N = 517, 5.2%), nonusers (N = 8,945, 89.2%), alcohol users (N = 500, 5.0%), and a combination of alcohol/tobacco/drug users (N = 69, 0.7%). Logistic regression demonstrated that the class of tobacco users was more likely to have an APO (odds ratio [OR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22–1.81), preterm birth (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.15–2.02), and SGA (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.36–2.35) relative to the class of nonusers. The class of alcohol users was more likely to have HDP (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.11–1.70) and less likely to have preterm birth (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.38–0.90) and SGA (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.40–0.93) compared to nonusers.

Conclusion: Trajectories of substance use are associated with APOs; thus, interventions to mitigate the use when encountered early in pregnancy are warranted.

Key Points: - Four classes of substance use were identified. - Tobacco users were at a higher risk of APO and alcohol users were at higher risk of HDP. - Mitigation strategies are warranted to reduce APO.