Rapid cocaine screening of urine in a newborn nursery

Fetal effects of cocaine: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A very large number of women in the reproductive age group consume cocaine, leading to grave concerns regarding the long term health of millions of children after in utero exposure. The results of controlled studies have been contradictory, leading to confusion, and, possible, misinformation and misperception of teratogenic risk.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review available data on pregnancy outcome when the mother consumed cocaine.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of all epidemiologic studies based on a priori criteria was conducted. Comparisons of adverse events in subgroups of exposed vs. unexposed children were performed. Analyses were based on several exposure groups: mainly cocaine, cocaine plus polydrug, polydrug but no cocaine, and drug free.

RESULTS

Thirty three studies met our inclusion criteria. For all end points of interest (rates of major malformations, low birth weight, prematurity, placental abruption, premature rupture of membrane [PROM], and mean birth weight, length and head circumference), cocaine-exposed infants had higher risks than children of women not exposed to any drug. However, most of these adverse effects were nullified when cocaine exposed children were compared to children exposed to polydrug but no cocaine. Only the risk of placental abruption and premature rupture of membranes were statistically associated with cocaine use itself.

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the perinatal adverse effects commonly attributed to cocaine may be caused by the multiple confounders that can occur in a cocaine using mother. Only the risk for placental abruption and PROM could be statistically related to cocaine. For other adverse effects, additional studies will be needed to ensure adequate statistical power.

Drug-of-abuse testing in the neonate

Drug-exposed mothers and infants continue to challenge maternal and infant health care resources. Complex family problems, polydrug abuse, long-standing drug use, and resistance to change may complicate intervention and treatment. Maternal motivation to change may be significant at the time of a child's birth, however. Identification of the infant exposed to drugs of abuse may provide an opportunity for health care providers to intervene at a time when the mother is open to assistance in addressing her drug abuse problem. Performing drug testing on the neonate without providing the necessary family assessment, referral, and follow-up services limits the usefulness of the test. Awareness of community resources, referral mechanisms, and involvement of social services provides an integrated approach to the family and a better outcome for the infant.

Testing for drugs of abuse in saliva and sweat

The detection of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, PCP, alcohol and nicotine in saliva and sweat is reviewed, with emphasis on forensic applications. The short window of detection and lower levels of drugs present compared to levels found in urine limits the applications of sweat and saliva screening for drug use determination. However, these matrices may be applicable for use in driving while intoxicated and surveying populations for illicit drug use. Although not an illicit drug, the detection of ethanol is reviewed because of its importance in driving under the influence. Only with alcohol may saliva be used to estimate blood levels and the degree of impairment because of the problems with oral contamination and drug concentrations varying depending upon how the saliva is obtained. The detection of nicotine and cotinine (from smoking tobacco) is also covered because of its use in life insurance screening and surveying for passive exposure.

Cocaine detection in a university population by hair analysis and skin swab testing

The ability to detect cocaine use/exposure by either hair or sweat analysis was compared in a random population of adults at a major US university. Sweat was obtained by wiping the forehead with a cosmetic puff containing isopropanol. Using cut-off levels for sweat of 2.2 ng cocaine/wipe and of hair of 0.05 ng cocaine/mg hair, sweat detected two times more cocaine use/exposure than did hair. Sweat analysis detected a use rate of 12% compared to a 6% rate by hair analysis, both greater than the 2% that would be expected in this population. The high rate of detection was surprising and suggests that use of, if not exposure to, cocaine is underreported. Controlled experiments showed that cocaine could remain on the skin for about 3 days after external exposure. At the current state of knowledge, sweat appears to measure both use and exposure. Nevertheless, sweat testing could be used in several scenarios (such as roadside driving while intoxicated) where the case of collection and testing of sweat could outweigh the passive exposure considerations. Cocaine concentrations in skin swabs > 15 ng/swab would appear to indicate recent use/exposure.