The Impact of a Prenatal Education Program for Opioid-Dependent Mothers on Breastfeeding Rates of Infants at Risk for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effect of a prenatal education program for opioid-dependent women on breastfeeding frequency, newborn hospital length of stay, and cost of care for neonates at risk of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Methods: From January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2020, opioid-dependent obstetric patients were educated on non-pharmacological preventative measures for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), with focused counseling on breastfeeding. Data were collected and compared to a control group of opioid-dependent pregnant women who received standard care before initiation of the education program.

Results: Sample size calculation revealed that to detect doubling of the breastfeeding rate from 25% to 50% with 80% power and α error of 0.05, 66 participants were required in each group.

Conclusion: There were 75 women with opioid use disorder who had prenatal NAS education (study group) and 108 women with opioid use disorder who underwent standard care before NAS education (control group). Prenatal NAS education participants significantly increased breastfeeding initiation rates compared to the control group. Newborn length of stay significantly decreased after initiation of prenatal NAS education compared to the 36 months before NAS education program.