A new study conducted at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health reveals that buprenorphine, a medication commonly used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), significantly improves health outcomes for pregnant women with OUD and their infants. The research, which will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Meeting in Honolulu, found that women who received buprenorphine were less likely to experience preterm births, serious health complications, or have their infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The study highlighted several important findings regarding the impact of buprenorphine on both maternal and infant health. Pregnant women who were treated with buprenorphine had:
- A lower likelihood of preterm birth, which can have significant long-term effects on a child’s health.
- Reduced risk of serious health complications during pregnancy.
- Fewer infant NICU admissions, improving the newborn’s immediate and long-term health outcomes.
Stephen Patrick, MD, MPH, senior author of the study and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University, emphasized the profound impact of buprenorphine in reducing preterm birth rates. “We know that treatment with medications like buprenorphine substantially reduces the risk of overdose death for pregnant women with opioid use disorder, but its benefits to newborns have not been well understood. We found a profound reduction in preterm birth among infants whose mothers were treated with buprenorphine, which can have a lifelong impact,” said Dr. Patrick.
The study underscores a growing public health issue: the dramatic increase in opioid use disorder among pregnant women. From 1999 to 2017, rates of OUD in pregnant women increased more than fivefold, yet more than half of these women still do not receive the necessary treatment. Pregnant women with OUD are at a significantly higher risk of complications, including preterm birth. Previous research suggests that up to 20% of pregnant women with OUD may experience a preterm birth, nearly double the rate of women without OUD. Preterm birth carries a higher risk of several health issues in children, such as respiratory problems, infections, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and vision and hearing impairments.
One significant concern raised by the study was the disparities in access to buprenorphine, particularly among vulnerable populations. Despite the proven benefits of buprenorphine in treating OUD in pregnancy, researchers found that women receiving this medication were often significantly less likely to be Black, highlighting a serious equity issue in access to care.
Sunaya Krishnapura, a graduating medical student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the study’s presenting author, stressed the importance of addressing these disparities. “Disparities in access to buprenorphine significantly affect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women,” Krishnapura said. “Our findings underscore the urgent need for policies that expand treatment access in the United States to ensure a healthy pregnancy and future for mothers and infants.”
The research examined data from over 14,000 pregnant women with opioid use disorder who were enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid between 2010 and 2021. This large dataset allowed the researchers to draw significant conclusions about the positive impact of buprenorphine on both maternal and infant health outcomes.
The study’s findings have important implications for public health policy. There is an urgent need to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder among pregnant women, especially in communities that face barriers to care. Expanding access to buprenorphine could improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce health disparities, ultimately ensuring healthier futures for both mothers and their children.
By addressing these issues, the research advocates for a more equitable healthcare system where pregnant women with OUD can receive the treatment they need to ensure the best possible outcomes for both themselves and their infants.
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