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Occult cocaine exposure in children
N M Rosenberg1, K L Meert, S R Knazik
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit 48201.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|December 1, 1991
Summary
Occult cocaine exposure is prevalent in urban children under five. Urine tests revealed benzoylecgonine in 5.4% of children, highlighting risks of passive exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric emergency departments encounter children with various complaints.
- Assessing environmental exposures is crucial for child health.
- Occult exposures can confound health outcome assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cocaine and cannabinoid exposure in young children.
- To investigate asymptomatic children presenting to a pediatric emergency department.
- To understand the implications of passive exposure in urban settings.
Main Methods:
- Urine samples from 460 children (1-60 months) were screened.
- Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) was used for cocaine metabolite (benzoylecgonine) and cannabinoids.
- Positive results were confirmed with radioimmunoassay and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Benzoylecgonine was detected in 25 children (5.4%).
- Confirmatory testing validated cocaine metabolite presence in all tested samples.
- No cannabinoid exposure was detected in any child.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of occult cocaine exposure exists in young urban children.
- Passive cocaine exposure poses risks and impacts health outcome studies.
- Further research is needed on the long-term effects of such exposures.