B Bar-Oz1, J Klein, T Karaskov, G Koren. 1. The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Meconium and hair are two biological markers of in utero exposure to illicit drugs. OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity of the two tests for different drugs. SETTING: Motherisk laboratory which tests in utero drug exposure in Toronto. METHODS: Cocaine, benzoylecgonine, opiates, cannabis, benzodiazepines, methadone, and barbiturates were measured in pairs of hair and meconium samples from the same neonates. RESULTS: Meconium was marginally more sensitive than neonatal hair for detection of cocaine and cannabis, possibly because it may detect second trimester exposure whereas hair grows only during the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a significant correlation between hair and meconium concentrations of cocaine, cannabis, and opiates. CONCLUSION: In cases of clinical suspicion and a negative neonatal urine test, both meconium and hair are effective biological markers of in utero illicit drug exposure. Meconium may be more sensitive, but neonatal hair is available for three months whereas meconium is available for only one or two days. In contrast, the use of meconium, being a discarded material, is more acceptable to some parents than hair testing, which entails cutting scalp hair from the newborn.
BACKGROUND: Meconium and hair are two biological markers of in utero exposure to illicit drugs. OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity of the two tests for different drugs. SETTING: Motherisk laboratory which tests in utero drug exposure in Toronto. METHODS:Cocaine, benzoylecgonine, opiates, cannabis, benzodiazepines, methadone, and barbiturates were measured in pairs of hair and meconium samples from the same neonates. RESULTS: Meconium was marginally more sensitive than neonatal hair for detection of cocaine and cannabis, possibly because it may detect second trimester exposure whereas hair grows only during the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a significant correlation between hair and meconium concentrations of cocaine, cannabis, and opiates. CONCLUSION: In cases of clinical suspicion and a negative neonatal urine test, both meconium and hair are effective biological markers of in utero illicit drug exposure. Meconium may be more sensitive, but neonatal hair is available for three months whereas meconium is available for only one or two days. In contrast, the use of meconium, being a discarded material, is more acceptable to some parents than hair testing, which entails cutting scalp hair from the newborn.
Authors: J A Ortega García; D Carrizo Gallardo; J Ferris i Tortajada; M M P García; J O Grimalt Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2006-04-19 Impact factor: 3.791
Authors: Mahek Garg; Laura Garrison; Lawrence Leeman; Ajna Hamidovic; Matthew Borrego; William F Rayburn; Ludmila Bakhireva Journal: Matern Child Health J Date: 2016-01
Authors: S C Jaques; A Kingsbury; P Henshcke; C Chomchai; S Clews; J Falconer; M E Abdel-Latif; J M Feller; J L Oei Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2014-01-23 Impact factor: 2.521
Authors: Zeina N Kiblawi; Lynne M Smith; Sabrina D Diaz; Linda L LaGasse; Chris Derauf; Elana Newman; Rizwan Shah; Amelia Arria; Marilyn Huestis; William Haning; Arthur Strauss; Sheri DellaGrotta; Lynne M Dansereau; Charles Neal; Barry Lester Journal: Subst Abus Date: 2014 Impact factor: 3.716
Authors: Lynne M Smith; Linda L Lagasse; Chris Derauf; Penny Grant; Rizwan Shah; Amelia Arria; Marilyn Huestis; William Haning; Arthur Strauss; Sheri Della Grotta; Melissa Fallone; Jing Liu; Barry M Lester Journal: Neurotoxicol Teratol Date: 2007-10-03 Impact factor: 3.763