Accelerated fetal lung maturity profiles and maternal cocaine exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of maternal cocaine exposure on fetal lung maturity as measured by surfactant-albumin ratios determined by the TDx-FLM test.


METHODS
A case-control study design was used to compare fetal lung maturity as assessed by a surfactant-albumin ratio assay (TDx-FLM) in amniotic fluid (AF) obtained from women who were known to use cocaine and those who were not known to use cocaine during the study pregnancy. Multiple logistic regression procedures were used to control for gestational age and possible confounders, such as obstetric and nonobstetric complications, other substance abuse, race, infant sex, and payer status.


RESULTS
Maternal cocaine use during pregnancy was associated with an accelerated fetal lung maturity profile (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-4.00) as determined by the TDx-FLM test. Other variables found to be statistically significant predictors of a mature fetal lung profile were cigarette smoking during the current pregnancy (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02-2.56). Preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, nonobstetric illness during pregnancy, and exposure to other abused substances were not associated with accelerated fetal lung maturity.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal cocaine use during pregnancy is associated with a doubling of the probability of a mature fetal lung profile as determined by TDx-FLM analysis of AF. Tobacco use is also a predictor of accelerated fetal lung maturity profiles.
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
K M
KM
Hanlon-Lundberg
M
M
Williams
T
T
Rhim
R F
RF
Covert
R
R
Mittendorf
J A
JA
Holt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013997:Time Factors
D000418:Albumins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D003042:Cocaine