Mawhinney Sandra, Ashe Robin G, Lowry Joanne
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Antrim Area Hospital, 45 Bush Road, Antrim BT41 2RL, United Kingdom.
Ulster Med J. 2006 Sep;75(3):187-91.
An increase in illicit drug use in Northern Ireland may well have links to the resolution of political conflict, which started in the mid 1990s. Social issues, heretofore hidden, have emerged into the limelight and may be worsened by paramilitary involvement. Registered addicts in the four Health Board areas have shown an increase from 1997 with the greatest number resident within the Northern Board Area. As the prevalence of heroin use in Northern Ireland increased, the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) commissioned a report, to recommend the development of substitute prescribing services. A case series of pregnancies was reviewed, within the Northern Board Area, where the mother was taking opioid substitution therapy. This resulted in baseline data of outcome for both mother and baby specific to a Northern Ireland population. The different medications for opioid substitution are also assessed. This information will guide a co-ordinated approach that involves obstetrician, anaesthetist, psychiatrist, midwife and social worker to the care of these high-risk pregnancies. Eighteen pregnancies were identified in the study period. Sixteen of these had viable outcomes. One was a twin pregnancy. Outcome data was therefore available for 17 infants. Information was obtained regarding patients' social and demographic background, drug taking behaviour and substitution regimen. Antenatal and intrapartum care was assessed and infants were followed up to the time of hospital discharge.
北爱尔兰非法药物使用的增加很可能与始于20世纪90年代中期的政治冲突的解决有关。一些此前隐藏的社会问题已成为公众关注的焦点，准军事组织的介入可能会使这些问题恶化。自1997年以来，四个卫生委员会地区登记的吸毒成瘾者有所增加，其中人数最多的居住在北部卫生委员会地区。随着北爱尔兰海洛因使用的流行率上升，卫生和社会服务部以及公共安全部（DHSSPS）委托撰写了一份报告，以建议发展替代处方服务。对北部卫生委员会地区一系列母亲接受阿片类药物替代疗法的妊娠病例进行了审查。这得出了北爱尔兰特定人群中母亲和婴儿结局的基线数据。还评估了用于阿片类药物替代的不同药物。这些信息将指导一种协调的方法，该方法涉及产科医生、麻醉师、精神科医生、助产士和社会工作者来护理这些高危妊娠。在研究期间确定了18例妊娠。其中16例有可行的结局。1例为双胎妊娠。因此有17名婴儿的结局数据。获取了有关患者社会和人口背景、吸毒行为及替代方案的信息。评估了产前和产时护理情况，并对婴儿进行随访直至出院。
