تسجيل الدخول

تسجيل

Applications , Determination of gestational drug exposure

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  164

2026-10-06

111

Applications

Determination of gestational drug exposure

Maternal drug abuse is a health hazard for the fetus, and the effects of cocaine, PCP, nicotine and other compounds are well documented. In 1987, Parton first reported the quantification of fetal cocaine exposure by the RIA of hair obtained from 15 babies. Other studies have demonstrated placental transfer of maternal haloperidol and the presence of nicotine, morphine, amfetamine and benzodiazepines in neonatal hair (Klein et al. 2000). It has been suggested that fetal accumulation of cocaine and its metabolites follows a linear pattern within clinically used doses (Forman 1992) and that a dose-dependent transfer of maternal nicotine to the baby exists (Kintz et al. 1993). Analysis of new-born hair may overcome the disadvantages of currently used methods to verify drug abuse, such as maternal self-reported drug history, maternal urinalysis (risk of false-negatives) and analysis of the urine or the meconium of the baby at the time of delivery (risk of false-negative information during the preceding 1–3 days).