UNLABELLED: To establish the frequency of substance misuse in early pregnancy in an urban UK population, 807 consecutive positive pregnancy test urine samples were screened for a range of drugs, including cotinine as an indicator of maternal smoking habits. A positive test for cannabinoids was found in 117 (14.5%) samples. Smaller numbers of samples were positive for other drugs:- opiates (11), benzodiazepines (4), cocaine (3) and one each for amphetamines and methadone. Polydrug use was detected in nine individuals. Only two samples tested positive for ethanol. The proportion with a urine cotinine level indicative of active smoking was 34.3%. The outcome of the pregnancy was traced for 288 subjects. Cannabis use was associated with a lower gestational age at delivery (P < 0.005), an increased risk of prematurity (P < 0.02) and reduction in birth weight (P < 0.002). Whilst maternal smoking was associated with a reduction in infant birth weight (P < 0.05), this was less pronounced than the effect of other substance misuse. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that one in six women in South London are using drugs in early pregnancy and that cannabinoid use is associated with a poorer pregnancy outcome.
UNLABELLED: To establish the frequency of substance misuse in early pregnancy in an urban UK population, 807 consecutive positive pregnancy test urine samples were screened for a range of drugs, including cotinine as an indicator of maternal smoking habits. A positive test for cannabinoids was found in 117 (14.5%) samples. Smaller numbers of samples were positive for other drugs:- opiates (11), benzodiazepines (4), cocaine (3) and one each for amphetamines and methadone. Polydrug use was detected in nine individuals. Only two samples tested positive for ethanol. The proportion with a urine cotinine level indicative of active smoking was 34.3%. The outcome of the pregnancy was traced for 288 subjects. Cannabis use was associated with a lower gestational age at delivery (P < 0.005), an increased risk of prematurity (P < 0.02) and reduction in birth weight (P < 0.002). Whilst maternal smoking was associated with a reduction in infant birth weight (P < 0.05), this was less pronounced than the effect of other substance misuse. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that one in six women in South London are using drugs in early pregnancy and that cannabinoid use is associated with a poorer pregnancy outcome.
Authors: Judy C Chang; Cynthia L Holland; Jill A Tarr; Doris Rubio; Keri L Rodriguez; Kevin L Kraemer; Nancy Day; Robert M Arnold Journal: Am J Health Promot Date: 2016-11-17