Universal screening for substance abuse at the time of parturition.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance abuse in an inner city population at delivery admission by universal urine toxicology screening.


METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of universal urine toxicology screening at admission for delivery on the LSU obstetric service at University Hospital in New Orleans.


RESULTS
Four hundred sixty-two women delivered during the first 4 months of 2005. Four hundred and sixteen (90%) had a urine screen performed and 79 (19%) screened positive for 1 or more substances. Rates of a positive test by substance were: cocaine (3.1%), amphetamines (2.4%), barbiturates (2.1%), opiates (2.6%), THC (17.2%), benzodiazepine (5.7%), and phencyclidine (0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Nineteen percent of the tested population screened positive for at least 1 of 7 substances at admission for delivery. Women who used illicit substances were older and of higher parity. Low birthweight and HIV were particularly prevalent in those who screened positive for cocaine and/or amphetamines.
Azadi
Ali
A
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA. aazadi@utmem.edu
Dildy
Gary A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014505:Urban Population