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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Cocaine use during pregnancy assessed by hair analysis in a Canary Islands cohort

Authors: Xavier Joya, Mario Gomez-Culebras, Alicia Callejón, Bibiana Friguls, Carme Puig, Sandra Ortigosa, Luca Morini, Oscar Garcia-Algar, Oriol Vall

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

Drug use during pregnancy is difficult to ascertain, and maternal reports are likely to be inaccurate. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of illicit drug use among pregnant women by using maternal hair analysis.

Methods

A toxicological analysis of hair was used to detect chronic recreational drug use during pregnancy. In 2007, 347 mother-infant dyads were included from the Hospital La Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Data on socioeconomic characteristics and on substance misuse during pregnancy were collected using a structured questionnaire. Drugs of abuse: opiates, cocaine, cannabinoids and amphetamines were detected in maternal hair by immunoassay followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for confirmation and quantitation.

Results

Hair analysis revealed 2.6% positivity for cocaine and its metabolites. Use of cocaine during pregnancy was associated with unusual behaviour with potentially harmful effects on the baby.

Conclusions

The results of the study demonstrate significant cocaine use by pregnant women in Canary Islands. The data should be used for the purpose of preventive health and policy strategies aimed to detect and possibly to avoid in the future prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/12/2/prepub

Title: Cocaine use during pregnancy assessed by hair analysis in a Canary Islands cohort
Authors: Xavier Joya
Mario Gomez-Culebras
Alicia Callejón
Bibiana Friguls
Carme Puig
Sandra Ortigosa
Luca Morini
Oscar Garcia-Algar
Oriol Vall
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-12-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Cocaine use during pregnancy assessed by hair analysis in a Canary Islands cohort

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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