Perinatal Substance Use Disorders: Assessing Mental Health and Social Needs
Abstract
Background: Pregnant patients with substance use disorder (SUD) face complex medical and psychosocial challenges that may worsen maternal and neonatal outcomes. Co-occurring mental health conditions and stressors such as housing instability and intimate partner violence are common in this population, yet limited data describe their prevalence compared with patients without substance use. Improved understanding of these associations may inform more effective, integrated perinatal care. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 577 pregnant patients who received prenatal care between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, at an academic OB/GYN clinic. Patients were categorized into eight groups based on urine drug screen (UDS) results, smoking status, and body mass index (BMI): methamphetamine-positive, buprenorphine-positive only, marijuana-positive only, other substance-positive, smokers with negative UDS and BMI greater than or equal to 40, smokers with negative UDS and BMI less than 40, non-smokers with negative UDS and BMI greater than or equal to 40, and non-smokers with negative UDS and BMI less than 40. Primary comparisons were made between patients with positive and negative UDS results. Results: Patients with a positive UDS had significantly lower mean BMI than those with a negative UDS (29.4 vs. 31.7, p<0.001). Homelessness (3.5% vs. 0.3%, p<0.01) and domestic violence (5.1% vs. 2.5%, p<0.05) were more prevalent among patients with a positive UDS. Mental health consultations were nearly twice as common in patients with a positive UDS compared to those with a negative UDS (30.83% vs. 15.53%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Pregnant patients with substance use disorder demonstrate greater psychosocial vulnerability and increased behavioral health needs. These findings highlight gaps in integrated perinatal mental health care and support systematic screening, coordinated care, and expanded behavioral health resources.
Start Time
15-4-2026 3:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
304
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Martin Olsen
Perinatal Substance Use Disorders: Assessing Mental Health and Social Needs
304
Background: Pregnant patients with substance use disorder (SUD) face complex medical and psychosocial challenges that may worsen maternal and neonatal outcomes. Co-occurring mental health conditions and stressors such as housing instability and intimate partner violence are common in this population, yet limited data describe their prevalence compared with patients without substance use. Improved understanding of these associations may inform more effective, integrated perinatal care. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 577 pregnant patients who received prenatal care between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, at an academic OB/GYN clinic. Patients were categorized into eight groups based on urine drug screen (UDS) results, smoking status, and body mass index (BMI): methamphetamine-positive, buprenorphine-positive only, marijuana-positive only, other substance-positive, smokers with negative UDS and BMI greater than or equal to 40, smokers with negative UDS and BMI less than 40, non-smokers with negative UDS and BMI greater than or equal to 40, and non-smokers with negative UDS and BMI less than 40. Primary comparisons were made between patients with positive and negative UDS results. Results: Patients with a positive UDS had significantly lower mean BMI than those with a negative UDS (29.4 vs. 31.7, p<0.001). Homelessness (3.5% vs. 0.3%, p<0.01) and domestic violence (5.1% vs. 2.5%, p<0.05) were more prevalent among patients with a positive UDS. Mental health consultations were nearly twice as common in patients with a positive UDS compared to those with a negative UDS (30.83% vs. 15.53%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Pregnant patients with substance use disorder demonstrate greater psychosocial vulnerability and increased behavioral health needs. These findings highlight gaps in integrated perinatal mental health care and support systematic screening, coordinated care, and expanded behavioral health resources.
