This systematic review examined maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with opioid detoxification during pregnancy. The researchers searched five databases for studies published between 1966 and September 2016 and included 15 studies involving 1,997 participants; 1,126 underwent detoxification. The authors assessed study quality and risk of bias.
The evidence was generally of fair to poor quality. Reported detoxification completion rates ranged from 9% to 100%, and relapse rates from 0% to 100%, depending on study design and follow-up. Reported fetal loss rates were similar between groups that did and did not undergo detoxification, but the evidence was limited. The authors concluded that available evidence does not support detoxification as a recommended intervention during pregnancy because completion is often low, relapse is common, and longer-term maternal and infant outcomes are insufficiently studied.
Original summary for clinical review. Read the published study.
