Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes under the Comprehensive Child Development Service at Princess Margaret Hospital: a One-year Experience

Abstract

Objective: To review the demographic characteristics of the women under the care of the Comprehensive Child Development Service (CCDS) and their neonatal outcomes.
Methods: Patient records under the care of the CCDS team in 2014 in a regional hospital in Hong Kong were retrieved for data analysis.
Results: Of the 275 women included in the final cohort, 21 (7.6%) were teenagers, 86 (31.3%) were a substance abuser, and 168 (61.1%) had mental health problems. With regard to the neonatal outcome, 14.2% were delivered preterm and 44.0% were admitted to the neonatal unit. Of the babies admitted to neonatal unit, 33.9% were due to neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome. Ketamine (50.0%) and amphetamine (44.2%) were the illicit drugs most commonly used by the mother, followed by cocaine (26.7%), heroin (17.4%), and ecstasy (17.4%); 34.9% of these women did not avoid the substance during pregnancy. When compared with the overall statistics in the hospital in 2014, the women in this study had more preterm birth (14.2% vs. 7.2%), more operative deliveries (26.8% vs. 21.1%), and more babies who required special care (44.0% vs. 31.1%).
Conclusion: Women with active substance abuse disorders are at risk for unplanned pregnancy. Effective contraceptive methods should be emphasised to this group of women after delivery. It is also crucial to appreciate the impact of the adverse consequences of substance abuse during pregnancy.