According to the first large-scale study to estimate the prevalence of prenatal substance use in areas of the U.S. known to have methamphetamine problems, 5% of women living in these regions used methamphetamine at least once during their pregnancy.

One-fourth of the women in this study used tobacco and 23% used alcohol while pregnant. In addition, 11% used illicit drugs prenatally.

The authors note that "the finding that approximately 5% of pregnant women in this study use methamphetamine at some point during their pregnancy highlights the need for educating primary care physicians and obstetric and gynecologic specialty practitioners to be aware of treatment options and community resources to enable access to treatment," particularly "in regions where methamphetamine is currently a large problem and in other areas where it is an emerging concern."

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the PDF file at www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/cesarfax/vol15/15-07.pdf.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from The Center on Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.