Perinatal outcome associated with PCP versus cocaine use

Area of Science:

• Perinatal pharmacology
• Neonatal toxicology
• Developmental pediatrics

Background:

• Phencyclidine (PCP) is a widely used illicit drug, particularly among young adults.
• PCP shares pharmacologic similarities with cocaine, necessitating comparative studies.
• Prenatal drug exposure poses significant risks to fetal development and neonatal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the perinatal and neonatal outcomes of infants exposed to phencyclidine (PCP) versus cocaine in utero.
• To identify similarities and differences in adverse outcomes between PCP and cocaine exposure.
• To establish a baseline for future long-term developmental outcome studies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study matching 37 PCP-intoxicated parturients with 37 cocaine-intoxicated parturients.
• Matching criteria included ethnicity, tobacco use, age, gravidity, and prenatal care.
• Comparison of infant outcomes including intrauterine growth retardation, labor characteristics, neonatal withdrawal/intoxication symptoms, and hospitalization duration.

Main Results:

• Infants exposed to PCP in utero exhibited a high incidence of intrauterine growth retardation (32% vs. 19%, N.S.).
• PCP-exposed infants had a higher likelihood of precipitate labor (43% vs. 27%, N.S.) and meconium-stained amniotic fluid (30% vs. 19%, p = .05).
• Both groups showed symptoms of neonatal drug withdrawal/intoxication and prolonged hospitalizations; PCP-exposed infants were less likely to be born prematurely.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal phencyclidine (PCP) exposure is associated with significant adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes, comparable in many aspects to cocaine exposure.
• PCP-exposed neonates may have a lower incidence of prematurity compared to cocaine-exposed infants.
• Further investigation is required to ascertain the long-term developmental consequences for infants exposed to PCP in utero.