A study of antenatal cocaine use-chaos in action.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified behaviors or conditions associated with cocaine use among prenatal patients and evaluated pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
A case-control study of patients attending a neighborhood-based prenatal program was conducted. For each patient who used cocaine, the next prenatal registrant with both a negative history of cocaine use and a negative urine screen for cocaine served as the control.


RESULTS
Cocaine use was associated with older, multiparous women who had a history of prior low birth weight infants. Prenatal care was obtained later and less frequently. Other substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, were more commonly used. A history of physical abuse and violence, as well as incarceration, was identified more often. The prevalence of syphilis was higher. Women who used cocaine were delivered of their infants earlier; prematurity occurred more often. Their infants were smaller. Regression analysis identified factors other than cocaine as important in either low birth weight or preterm delivery. Attainment of a greater number of prenatal care visits was associated with improved outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Women who use cocaine have numerous significant life disturbances, which may collectively influence pregnancy outcome. Cocaine use itself is a marker and did not appear to influence the prevalence of low birth weight or preterm delivery.
Miller
J M
JM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisianna, USA.
Boudreaux
M C
MC
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008385:Marijuana Smoking; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012907:Smoking; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications; D014754:Violence