Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Methamphetamine Use Delivering at Nakhon Thai Crown Prince Hospital

Authors

  • Chariwan Vanitchayakosol Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nakhon Thai Crown Prince Hospital, Phitsanulok Province

Keywords:

Methamphetamine, Pregnant women, Obstetric outcomes, Preterm birth

Abstract

              Background: Methamphetamine use during pregnancy adversely affects both mothers and infants; however, data in the context of community hospitals remain limited.

              Objective: To compare obstetric and neonatal outcomes between pregnant women who used and did not use methamphetamine at Somdet Phra Yupparat Nakhon Thai Hospital.

               Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted using medical records from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2025. A total of 207 pregnant women were included, comprising 48 women with methamphetamine detected in urine and 159 women without methamphetamine detected in urine. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression.

              Results: The proportion of inadequate antenatal care was higher among women with methamphetamine detected in urine than among those without methamphetamine detected in urine (66.7% vs. 25.1%; p < .001). The rates of preterm birth (31.3% vs. 10.0%; p = .001), preeclampsia (12.5% vs. 3.1%; p = .021), and low birth weight (33.3% vs. 9.4%; p < .001) were also higher. In addition, fetal death was found only among women with methamphetamine detected in urine (6.3% vs. 0.0%; p = .012). Infants in the methamphetamine-detected group had lower mean body length and mean body temperature at birth, a higher proportion of Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes, and longer hospital stays. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that methamphetamine detected in urine was independently associated with low birth weight (aOR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.67–6.72) and preterm birth (aOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.55–6.27).

             Conclusion: Methamphetamine detected during pregnancy was associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. These findings support the importance of proactive screening, continuous antenatal care, and multidisciplinary care to reduce complications.

References

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Published

2026-08-31

How to Cite

Vanitchayakosol, C. (2026). Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Methamphetamine Use Delivering at Nakhon Thai Crown Prince Hospital. Journal of Health Sciences Sukhothai hospital, 1(2), 63–76. retrieved from https://he05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jhsh-skth/article/view/7874

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): May-August

Section

Research Article

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