Prenatal cocaine exposure and fetal vascular disruption.
The question of the potential teratogenicity of cocaine has been raised by the increasing frequency of its abuse in the United States. In previous studies, an increased incidence has been documented of spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and neurologic deficits in the infants of women who abused cocaine. More recently, it has been suggested in studies that fetal vascular disruption accompanying maternal cocaine abuse may lead to cavitary central nervous system lesions and genitourinary anomalies. In this article, 10 children born of women who abused cocaine are described, 9 of whom have congenital limb reduction defects and/or intestinal atresia or infarction. The spectrum of anomalies associated with embryonic and fetal vascular disruption accompanying maternal cocaine abuse is thus enlarged. The specific risk for congenital anomalies accompanying maternal cocaine abuse during an individual pregnancy is unknown. However, data from these patients and the available literature suggest that counseling pregnant women concerning cocaine use should incorporate warnings about the possibility of associated embryonic or fetal vascular disruption.
Hoyme
H E
HE
Dept of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85724.
Jones
K L
KL
Dixon
S D
SD
Jewett
T
T
Hanson
J W
JW
Robinson
L K
LK
Msall
M E
ME
Allanson
J E
JE
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology
D003042:Cocaine