Peripartum methamphetamine use in a large urban population

The objective of the present investigation was to assess the relationship of peripartum methamphetamine use and fetal outcome. Umbilical cord blood was collected from 863 consecutive births at two large urban public hospitals serving a primarily indigent population. Radioimmunoassay was utilized to test for the presence of methamphetamine and other substances of abuse. Only those positive for methamphetamine alone were included in the study. Controls were those whose toxicology was negative for methamphetamine, opiates, cocaine, alcohol, and toluene. Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square analysis, Fisher's exact probability test, analysis of variance, or analysis of covariance, where appropriate. With the exception of birth weight, there was no difference between the methamphetamine-exposed and control groups in pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome. A slight reduction (P = 0.05) in birth weight was found in the methamphetamine-exposed group, but the difference (141 gm) was of questionable clinical significance. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were not associated with peripartum methamphetamine exposure in the current study.