Source : Drug misuse in pregnancy (SMR02 & SMR11)

Introduction

Data for individual patients are collected by ISD Scotland as a series of Scottish Morbidity Records (SMR).

The SMR datasets constitute a significant local and national information resource, and are used for epidemiological monitoring, health needs assessment, national and local planning and a range of other applications.

This section presents national statistics on drug misuse during pregnancy. The source of the information is maternity inpatient and day case records (SMR02) and neonatal discharge records (SMR11) collected by the ISD Scotland (ISD Scotland).

Over recent years, there has been increased recognition of the particular treatment needs of pregnant women who are drug users. Also, efforts have been made by clinicians and others to improve the identification and recording of diagnoses of drug misuse. Under-recording problems, however, still exist and it is recognised that the statistics presented here are underestimates. For example, estimates from clinicians in Glasgow suggest that actual numbers of maternities involving drug-using women may be twice as high as twice the number recorded on the SMR02 records. This highlights the need to develop a consistent approach to recording.

The data does, nevertheless, provide a useful starting point in looking at the issue of drug misuse in pregnancy at a national level.

SMR02 records

Since 1976, the maternity inpatient and day case record (SMRO2) system has achieved national coverage of 98 per cent of all births. Delivery records account for approximately half of all maternity inpatient and day case discharges each year; antenatal, postnatal and abortion episodes make up the remaining discharges.

SMR11 records

Record type SMR11 records all neonatal discharge information (including from neonatal units and postnatal cots) with records being generated for sick babies who fall into one of the following categories:

• babies who require medical care
  (other than (a) resuscitation immediately after birth or (b) routine screening)
• babies who have a congenital anomaly (whether or not medical treatment is given at that time).

Drug misuse diagnoses
Drug misuse is recorded on the SMR02 and SMR11 returns using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases (101 revision).

SMR02

• Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of: opioids (code Fl I); cannahinoids (F12); sedatives or hypnotics (F13); cocaine (F14); other stimulants (F15); hallucinogens (F16); volatile solvents (Fl 8); multiple drug use and use of other psycho-active substances (F19)
• Maternal care for suspected damage to fetus by drugs (035.5)

SMR11

• Fetus and newborn affected by maternal use of drugs of addiction (P04.4)
• Neonatal withdrawal symptoms from maternal use of drugs of addiction (P96.1)
  

For further information contact: Neil Graham

Drug Misuse In Scotland 2001
This is an ISD Scotland National Statistics release

For further information please contact: Elaine Parry