Screening for Substance Use During Pregnancy: A Review

To comprehensively review current approaches to screening pregnant individuals for substance use and recommend best practices.Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify peer-reviewed studies evaluating various screening tools and strategies for detecting substance use during pregnancy. Guidelines from leading medical organizations were also reviewed.Results: While the optimal single screening tool remains undefined due to variable study methods, brief validated questionnaires administered universally and periodically are recommended. Screening allows for early intervention shown to improve outcomes. Underreporting poses challenges addressed through objective testing but also risk disparate impacts. Standard clinical assessment supplements positive screens to determine needs. Barriers like policy-induced delays in care and racial screening disparities require addressing.Conclusions: Routine substance use screening aligns with quality prenatal standards given use prevalence and demonstrated benefits of intervening. Selecting an initial frontline tool requires balancing attributes. Establishing rapport and providing non-stigmatizing discussions with referrals respects patient contexts. Ongoing efforts must promote accurate, equitable, and timely identification to reduce substance-associated risks during pregnancy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Prenatal screening ، Substance use ، Maternal health