Opioid treatment in pregnancy: which form is safer for Baby's brain?

NCT ID NCT03911739

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at 71 babies born to mothers who took either a monthly injection or a daily tablet of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. Researchers measured the babies' thinking, language, and motor skills using a standard child development test. The goal was to see if the longer-acting injection leads to better brain development than the daily tablet.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

buprenorphine (extended-release injection or daily sublingual tablet)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could help doctors choose the safest opioid treatment for pregnant women to protect baby brain development.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed sub-study (71 infants) that only observes development, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply to all babies or show clear differences between the two drug forms.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

drug dependence neonatal abstinence syndrome opiate dependence pregnancy disorder substance abuse substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Addiction Recovery Services (ARS), Swedish Medical Center

    Seattle, Washington, 98107, United States

  • Boston Medical Center

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02118, United States

  • CODA, Inc.

    Portland, Oregon, 97214, United States

  • Gateway Community Services

    Jacksonville, Florida, 32204, United States

  • Marshall Health MARC Program

    Huntington, West Virginia, 25701, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital HOPE Clinic

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

  • Medical University of South Carolina

    Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

  • Pregnancy Recovery Center at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

  • University of Utah SUPeRAD Clinic

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States

  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States