The Use of Methamphetamine During Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Study in Tertiary Hospital

Authors

  • Jaroenta Assawaphadungsit Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital
  • Uthoomporn Dulyakasem Nakhonratchasima College
  • Asst.Prof. Piyarat Rodkaew Boromarajonani Nursing College, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Faculty of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institution
  • Nantanit Junproi Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital

Keywords:

preterm labor, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, Methamphetamine

Abstract

Background: Methamphetamine use during pregnancy is a public health problem and is associated with obstetric complications and undesirable newborn outcomes.        

Objective: To compare maternal and newborn health outcomes between pregnant women with and without a history of methamphetamine use during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: A Retrospective Analytical Study of medical records of singleton deliveries in Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital between October 2023 to September 2025. A total of 6,989 cases were divided into 98 cases with a history of methamphetamine use and 6,891 cases without a history of methamphetamine use. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance is defined at p < .05

Results: 1.40% of pregnant women with a history of methamphetamine use were found. This group had a statistically significant higher rate of preterm labor than group without a history of methamphetamine use (32.65% and 11.84%, respectively; p<.001). In addition, Newborns born to mothers with a history of methamphetamine use had a statistically significant low birth weight than mothers without a history of methamphetamine use (19.40% and 10.61%, respectively; p = .005), as well as birth asphyxia and referral to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) statistically significantly higher than newborns born to mothers without a history of methamphetamine use. (p < .001)

Conclusion: Methamphetamine use during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. Especially, preterm labor, low birth weight, birth asphyxia and newborn care in NICU.

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Assawaphadungsit J, Dulyakasem U, Rodkaew AP, Junproi N. The Use of Methamphetamine During Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Study in Tertiary Hospital. MNST Med J [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Nov. 8];10(1):149-65. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/MNSTMedJ/article/view/289878