[Detection of drugs in meconium]

The number of newborn infants exposed to drugs in utero is on the increase in many European countries. As drug use reported by addicted pregnant women is unreliable there is a need for an accurate test to determine the drugs to which an infant has been exposed in utero. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of toxicology testing in meconium compared with traditional urine testing.

From twenty newborn infants born to drug-dependent mothers, meconium and urine were collected as soon as possible after birth and tested for drugs with the same radioimmunoassay. Five neonates were premature (Gestational weeks less than 37), six were small and three microcephalic for gestational age.

Meconium was positive for drugs in 19 infants (95%) (Methadone 9, Morphine 9, Cocaine 6, Cannabis 4). Urine testing revealed the presence of drugs in 13 babies (65%) (Methadone 9, Morphine 6, Cocaine 4, Cannabis 1, Barbiturates 1). Five infants did not have any drug withdrawal, five had mild and ten severe withdrawal symptoms necessitating treatment with chlorpromazine and in four instances additional pethidine.

Meconium is not only easier to collect but also at least as reliable as urine for drug detection in neonates.