Longitudinal Outcomes of Children Exposed to Opioids In‐utero: A Systematic Review

Purpose The purpose was to summarize evidence of long‐term outcomes of children, 2 years and older, exposed to opioids in‐utero. Design This was a systematic review. Studies were identified by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO HOST/Medline, and Web of Science. Articles were...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nursing scholarship 2021-01, Vol.53 (1), p.55-64
Main Authors: Arter, Sara J., Tyler, Brian, McAllister, Jennifer, Kiel, Elizabeth, Güler, Ayse, Cameron Hay, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Age
Child development
Childhood
Children
Children & youth
Cognition
Health status
in‐utero opioid exposure
long‐term outcomes
Narcotics
neonatal abstinence syndrome
Nursing
Older children
Opioids
Population
Pregnancy
Public health
Quality assessment
Systematic review
Trends
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Summary:Purpose The purpose was to summarize evidence of long‐term outcomes of children, 2 years and older, exposed to opioids in‐utero. Design This was a systematic review. Studies were identified by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO HOST/Medline, and Web of Science. Articles were published between 1979 and 2019. Methods This systematic review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. Two sets of two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality according to National Institutes of Health quality assessment tools. Results Forty‐three articles met inclusion criteria. Synthesis of articles identified trends toward worse outcomes for children with in‐utero opioid exposure in all areas, most notably related to academic success, behavior, cognition, hospitalizations, and vision. Conclusions Findings reinforce the necessity of continued research in this area with improved study design. Despite limitations in the current body of evidence, findings from this review are vital knowledge for clinicians, because children exposed to opioids in‐utero are clearly vulnerable to a wide variety of suboptimal health and developmental outcomes. Clinical Relevance Recognition of all outcomes across childhood associated with in‐utero opioid exposure will inform improved identification and interventions tailored to the most pressing needs of affected children. Despite the need for continued research, there is sufficient evidence to necessitate close, individualized follow‐up throughout childhood.
ISSN:1527-6546
1547-5069
DOI:10.1111/jnu.12609