The effect of maternal cocaine use on the fetus: changes in antepartum fetal heart rate tracings

Article Abstract:

Cocaine use affects neurotransmitter levels in the body, resulting in a stimulated cardiovascular system, among other effects. Pregnant women who abuse this drug put their infants at great risk for permanent damage if the drug is used on a regular basis. The short-term effects of cocaine use on the fetus have been studied less. To evaluate the short-term effects, fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings taken from fetuses of 20 cocaine-abusing mothers were analyzed. Urine samples were taken from the mothers each time FHR tracings were taken. The samples were tested to see if the mother had recently abused cocaine. FHR tracings taken when the urine test was positive were matched with the closest chronological tracing when the urine test was negative. Baseline fetal heart rate and deceleration scores were not significantly different when the urine test was positive compared to when it was negative. Oscillatory amplitude, frequency, and acceleration scores were significantly different. Total score on the tests was higher when the urine test was negative than when it was positive in 70 percent of cases. Scores were the same in 30 percent of cases. The results indicated that in the short-term, cocaine abuse by a pregnant woman may affect neurotransmitters in the central nervous system of the fetus. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Children, Drug abusers, Fetal heart rate monitoring, Electronic fetal monitoring, Children of drug addicts

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In utero cocaine exposure: observations of fetal behavioral state may predict neonatal outcome

Article Abstract:

The use of cocaine during pregnancy, which is on the rise, is known to cause complications in labor and delivery and is associated with poor infant outcome and death. Infants born to mothers who used cocaine during the pregnancy have disorganized behavioral states caused by the intoxication and withdrawal from the drug. To determine whether identification of this disorganized state inside the uterus can be used to predict the development of an abnormal nervous system, 20 fetuses exposed to cocaine were evaluated. Videotaped sequential images produced by ultrasonography, the use of high frequency sound to visualize internal structures, were used to examine the behavior of the fetus during pregnancy. Measurements such as fetal heart rate, breathing motions, body tone and movements, and movement of the mouth, chin and eyes were examined. Abnormal or delayed developmental results appeared in 13 of the 20 exposed fetuses, and abnormal or suspect behavioral states were identified in 16 of the exposed newborns. Cocaine use during pregnancy can alter the development of the central nervous system in fetuses. Evaluation of behavioral states in fetuses can be used to predict the behavioral states in newborn infants exposed to cocaine during pregnancy.

Cocaine abuse

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Cocaine abuse during pregnancy: peripartum prevalence and perinatal outcome

Article Abstract:

The use of cocaine in the United States is increasing. The use of the drug during pregnancy is known to adversely affect the fetus by causing withdrawal symptoms, breathing and lung abnormalities, abnormal fetal development and sometimes death. To determine the prevalence of cocaine use among pregnant women before labor and delivery, 1,776 patients were tested at the time of hospital admission. Eight percent (138 patients) of the urine samples, which can reveal cocaine use up to 72 hours afterwards, tested positive. The infants born to patients testing positive for cocaine were in general born earlier, were more likely to have premature rupture of the amniotic membrane, were younger at the time of the delivery and were smaller for their age. When compared with a control group of 88 non-users, the group using cocaine experienced more hospitalizations and infant deaths. Therefore, the use of cocaine during pregnancy can adversely affect an infant's well-being, and the frequency of the problem is alarmingly high.

Infant mortality, Perinatal death

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