| In utero cocaine exposure: a thorny mix of science and mythology. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12874726 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Fetal cocaine exposure has proven to be an area of medicine that has generated more heat than light. Although many reports associate cocaine with a variety of isolated structural anomalies, there is no detectable syndromic clustering, raising doubts about a real causal association or a specific teratogenic action. Potential confounding variables, including the abuse of other drugs, pregnancy deprivations, and socially patterned maternal behaviors, have limited the reliability of observational studies, making it difficult to demonstrate effects solely attributable to cocaine. The clinical expression of in utero cocaine exposure is contextual, critically dependent on the biology/environment interplay. The present work summarizes the fetal structural anomalies that have been associated in the literature with cocaine use during pregnancy, and reviews the putative mechanisms of fetal impairment secondary to cocaine exposure. The final discussion of methodologic issues in cocaine epidemiology highlights the need for innovative approaches to assure that the myths conjured up about "crack babies" are replaced with reliable, high-quality scientific data. |
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Authors:
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Alex C Vidaeff; Joan M Mastrobattista |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: American journal of perinatology Volume: 20 ISSN: 0735-1631 ISO Abbreviation: Am J Perinatol Publication Date: 2003 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-07-22 Completed Date: 2003-10-08 Revised Date: 2005-11-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8405212 Medline TA: Am J Perinatol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 165-72 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas, Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Abnormalities, Drug-Induced* Animals Cocaine / adverse effects* Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications* Female Fetal Diseases / chemically induced* Humans Maternal-Fetal Exchange Pregnancy Risk Assessment |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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50-36-2/Cocaine |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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