Pathologic and laboratory correlation in microcephaly associated with prenatal cocaine exposure

Early Hum Dev. 2001 Jul;63(2):79-81. doi: 10.1016/s0378-3782(01)00123-2.

Abstract

The Authors report a case where cocaine abuse during pregnancy assessed by drug analysis at various site was associated with foetal microcephaly. Foetal pathologic findings revealed anomalies in neuronal migration and in the vascular architecture in the brain. Such anomalies might be the result of prolonged exposure to cocaine in utero, aggravated by the high concentration of cocaine metabolites in the amniotic fluid over a prolonged period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced*
  • Abortion, Eugenic
  • Adult
  • Brain / abnormalities
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Cocaine / pharmacokinetics
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders*
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Microcephaly / chemically induced*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Cocaine