Personal interviews were conducted with women who used alcohol and/or drugs during pregnancy. Cases (35) were matched to controls (35) by age, sex, race, and insurance. Factors influencing the mother's decision to breast-feed were obtained.

RESULTS: The cases included 18 (51.4%) African-American, 7 (20%) Hispanic and 10 (28.6%) White. While 10 (28%) cases and 14 (40%) controls breast-fed, we found no statistically significant difference between the two groups(OR=0.6, 95% Cl 0.2 to 1.82, P=0.32). Only 1 of the 10 cases who breast-fed reported the use of drugs prior to feeding, the others remained drug-free. There was also no significant difference in either income (OR=1.61, 95% Cl 0.55 to 4.75, P=0.32) or education (OR =.84, 95% Cl 0.23 to 3.04, P=0.77). Among the cases, we found no significant differences in pregnancy drug use by ethnicity (OR=0.79, 95% Cl 0.28 to 2.26, P=0.63). Although eighty percent of the cases who breast-fed reported spouse involvement, this was not significantly different from controls (OR=1.70, 95% Cl 0.5 to 5.76,P=0.33).

Of 9 cases who chose not to breastfeed, 5 reported that the breast is used for sex, while 4 expressed embarassment of breast-feeding in public.

CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the prevalence of breast-feeding between the cases and controls. Breast-feeding needs to be examined as a potential therapeutic value in relapse prevention. Funded by K.I.N.D.E.R. Clinic and the University of Texas - Houston Medical School: Dean's Fund.