Prenatal cocaine exposure and fetal vascular disruption (1990)

FRANÇAIS :
Des études antérieures ont montré le nombre et l'importance des lésions diverses chez le foetus en cas d'exposition à la cocaïne pendant la grossesse. Plus récemment, ont été mises en évidence des ruptures vasculaires avec lésions du système nerveux central et anomalies génito-urinaires. Dix cas sont présentés. Le taux de risque n'est pas connu. Mais il faut connaître la possibilité de ces complications.
ENGLISH:
The question of the potential teratogenicity of cocaine has been raised by the increasing frequency of its abuse in the United States. In previous studies, an increased incidence has been documented of spontaneous abortion, placental abruption, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and neurologic deficits in the infants of women who abused cocaine. More recently, it has been suggested in studies that fetal vascular disruption accompanying maternal cocaine abuse may lead to cavitary central nervous system lesions and genitourinary anomalies. In this article, 10 children born of women who abused cocaine are described, 9 of whom have congenital limb reduction defects and/or intestinal atresia or infarction. The spectrum of anomalies associated with embryonic and fetal vascular disruption accompanying maternal cocaine abuse is thus enlarged. The specific risk for congenital anomalies accompanying maternal cocaine abuse during an individual pregnancy is unknown. However, data from these patients and the available literature suggest that counseling pregnant women concerning cocaine use should incorporate warnings about the possibility of associated embryonic or fetal vascular disruption.