Ten-Day-Old Neonate Cocaine Exposure and Human Milk: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neonatal health
• Toxicology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
• Maternal drug use can transfer substances to infants via human milk (HM).
• Cocaine (COC) exposure in nursing mothers poses a potential risk to breastfeeding infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of suspected lactational cocaine intoxication in a neonate.
• To explore potential early biomarkers for diagnosing cocaine intoxication in infants via breast milk.
• To highlight the need for further research on cocaine's effects on infant health and coagulation parameters.

Main Methods:

• A 10-day-old infant presented with cyanosis and sialorrhea.
• Maternal history revealed cocaine hydrochloride powder inhalation.
• Infant's clinical presentation and maternal drug use history were assessed.

Main Results:

• The infant exhibited symptoms consistent with intoxication after maternal cocaine use.
• Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aTTP) may indicate liver damage in lactational cocaine intoxication.
• Immunochromatography assays offer rapid screening for suspected drug exposure in emergency settings.

Conclusions:

• Lactational drug intoxications, particularly with cocaine, are a concern due to its accumulation in human milk.
• Development of novel biomarkers for early intoxication diagnosis is crucial for substances like cocaine.
• Further studies are required to understand the impact of cocaine exposure on infant coagulation parameters.