Prenatal opioid exposure, and health, social and educational outcomes for school-aged children: A systematic review.
Louise Marryat, Dawood Gashgari, Shona Shinwell et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the impact of prenatal opioid exposure (POE) on health, social, and educational outcomes in children aged 5-18 years. Analyzing 32 papers, the review found significant associations between POE and poorer visual outcomes, increased hyperactivity, and cognitive difficulties. The evidence was derived from a diverse range of study designs, including prospective and retrospective studies.
Key findings
- POE is associated with poorer visual outcomes, as indicated by 4 out of 4 studies.
- Increased hyperactivity and attention difficulties were reported in 3 out of 3 studies.
- Cognitive difficulties were associated with POE in 7 out of 10 studies.
Why it matters
Understanding the long-term effects of prenatal opioid exposure is crucial for developing interventions and support systems for affected children. Clinicians should be aware of these potential outcomes to better address the needs of this population.
What to keep in mind
The review noted a mixed quality of studies, with 17 out of 32 papers having a high/very high risk of bias.