Assessing the relationship between maternal opiate use and antepartum haemorrhage

Abstract

Aims/Design. Assessment of the association between the regular use of opiates by women during pregnancy and antepartum haemorrhage has been made difficult by the low prevalence of these conditions observed in clinical settings. As a consequence, most published studies lack statistical power due to the small number of cases. We combined all suitable published data in a meta-analysis to assess the association more accurately. Findings. Meta-analysis produced a pooled estimate relation to maternal opiate use of 2.33 (95% CI 1.32-4.30). Conclusions. This odds ratio estimate is consistent with a moderately strong association. Studies included did not adjust for possible confounders (e.g. prenatal..