### Perinatal Substance Use Disorders Research

- [ Contact](#contact)
- [ Investigators](#investigators)
- [ Research projects](#research-projects)
 
  Our research focuses on substance use disorders in pregnancy and substance-exposed newborns. Specifically, we are conducting trials related to pharmacologic treatments for opioid use disorder in pregnancy, cannabis use disorders in pregnancy, placental biomarkers, genetics, pharmacokinetics, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), and the long-term childhood outcomes of substance exposure in-utero.

*See all of our* [*pediatric research programs*](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics/research)*.*



 ## Contact

**Principal Investigator**   
Elisha M. Wachman   
<Elisha.Wachman@bmc.org>

**Project Manager**  
Chloe Deflorimonte  
<Chloe.Deflorimonte@bmc.org>



 

 ## Investigators

**Department of Pediatrics**   
[Elisha M. Wachman, MD](<https://profiles.bu.edu/Elisha.Wachman  >)  
[Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH](<https://profiles.bu.edu/Vincent.Smith  >)  
[Mei Elansary, MD, MPhil](<https://profiles.bu.edu/Mei.Elansary  >)  
[Mark Mirochnick, MD](<https://profiles.bu.edu/Mark.Mirochnick  >)  
  
**Department of Obstetrics**  
[Kelley Saia, MD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Kelley.Saia)  
[Erica Holland, MD](https://profiles.bu.edu/Erica.Holland)

![substance use disorder in pregnancy team at boston medical center](/sites/default/files/inline-images/SUD%20Pregnancy%20Photo%20Original_0.jpg)

 

 ## Research projects

1. Promoting positive parenting for mothers with OUD: Implementation of a video-coaching intervention in pediatrics (NIH 1K23DA061933)
2. Boston University Women’s Health Research Affinity Research Collaborative ([https://www.bumc.bu.edu/evanscenteribr/2024/08/07/boston-university-wom…](https://www.bumc.bu.edu/evanscenteribr/2024/08/07/boston-university-womens-health-arc/))
3. Boston University BIRCWH Program (NIH 1K12AR085635) ([https://www.bu.edu/ctsi/training-education/boston-university-bircwh-pro…](https://www.bu.edu/ctsi/training-education/boston-university-bircwh-program/))
4. NICU Withdrawal Assessment Scale (Gerber Foundation) CTN-0080 Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Expectant Mothers (MOMS) Randomized Clinical Trial (UG1DA013732), NCT03918850
5. MAT LINK (Maternal and Infant Network to Understand Outcomes Associated with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy), <https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/aboutus/mat-link.html>
6. POD (Placental Markers of Opioid Use Disorder on Development) Study (R01HD113143)
7. The First Year Study: A Prospective Mixed Methods Study of Maternal and Child Well-being and Risk of Relapse in the First Year Postpartum (BU CTSI)
8. SAFEST choice: <https://www.bmc.org/addiction/training-education/safest-choice>  
    AAP FASD Toolkit: <https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/fetal-aclohol-spectrum-disorders/>
9. Naltrexone for Cannabis Use Disorder in Pregnancy (BU CTSI)