Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Rates of substance and polysubstance use through universal maternal testing at the time of delivery
Brittany L Smith1, Eric S Hall2,3,4, Jennifer M McAllister3,4,5
1Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati Reading Campus, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Objective:
To report substance and polysubstance use at the time of delivery.
Study Design:
A cross-sectional study was performed on mothers consented for universal drug testing (99%) during hospital admission at six delivery hospitals in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mass spectrometry urinalysis detected positivity rates of 46 substances. Rates of positive drug tests for individual and common co-occurring substances measured were reported.
Results:
2531 maternal samples were tested (88%) and 33% contained cotinine, 11.3% THC, 7.2% opioids, 3.8% cocaine, and 1.9% methamphetamines. Polysubstance use prevalence was as high as 15%. Among mothers testing positive for methadone or buprenorphine, 93% also tested positive for cotinine and 39% tested positive for a third substance in addition to cotinine.
Conclusions:
Substance use at delivery is more prevalent than previously reported. Many mothers testing positive for opioids also test positive for other substances, which may increase overdose risk and exacerbate neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
More Related Videos
05:13Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
15:27Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Drug Concentrations: Measurements
Plasma...
Physiological Barriers
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Drug Excretion: Pulmonary and Glandular Routes
Drugs can also be excreted in breast milk, which is crucial for breastfeeding infants. The...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
Drug Excretion: Miscellaneous Routes