A cohort study of the impact of perinatal drug use on prematurity in an inner-city population.
Perinatal illicit drug use was determined by anonymously testing the urine of 1111 inner-city parturients. Fourteen percent tested positive, 11.5% for cocaine. As determined by self-report or by positive test results, 17% used drugs. Twenty-eight percent of low birthweights and 20% of premature births in this group were attributable to drug use. Risk of prematurity was reduced by a factor of 2 to 3 with adequate prenatal care. These data suggest an enormous potential for improving perinatal health.
Feldman
J G
JG
Department of Preventive Medicine, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203-2098.
Minkoff
H L
HL
McCalla
S
S
Salwen
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000652:urine; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000652:urine; D014504:Urban Health
D003042:Cocaine