Pregnant Women in New Zealand Show High Opioid Prescription Rates

A recent multinational study has revealed that New Zealand ranks third highest globally for prescribed opioid use during pregnancy, with nearly 8% of pregnancies involving opioid exposure. This figure is notably higher than Canada, where the rate is around 4%, and significantly exceeds the UK's 0.4%.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales and published in the journal Anesthesiology, scrutinized opioid prescriptions across 13 high-income countries, analyzing data from over 20 million pregnancies from 2000 to 2020. The findings highlight a concerning trend in opioid use among expectant mothers, particularly in late pregnancy and among individuals with lower income and higher body mass index.

Dr. Sarah Donald, a co-author of the research from the University of Otago, emphasized the need for a reevaluation of New Zealand's opioid prescription guidelines. She noted that while opioid use was influenced by various local factors such as health system organization and pain management approaches, the significant variation between countries suggests a critical need for reviewing existing practices.

The study found that opioid prescriptions were more stable or trending downward in most participating countries, with the United States reporting the highest rates of use. The most commonly prescribed opioids included codeine and tramadol.

Furthermore, the research indicates that the overall use of prescription medications during pregnancy has increased over the past two decades. This rise may correlate with an aging demographic of pregnant individuals, leading to a higher prevalence of medical conditions that necessitate treatment. It also reflects an increased awareness of the historical undertreatment of pregnant women.

Despite the rising opioid prescriptions, the study reassured that around 80% of those who used opioids during pregnancy received only one prescription, suggesting that the majority of cases may involve limited use.

Professor Lianne Parkin, another co-author from Otago's Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, warned that opioids can cross the placenta, potentially exposing the fetus to risks. Early opioid use during pregnancy has been linked to various adverse outcomes, including congenital malformations, preterm births, low birth weights, and withdrawal symptoms in newborns. The potential for long-term neurodevelopmental issues in infants also raises concerns regarding opioid prescriptions during pregnancy.

As opioid use during pregnancy continues to be a pressing public health issue, authorities and healthcare providers are urged to carefully weigh the benefits of pain management against the potential risks to both mothers and their unborn children.