Cocaine abuse in the parturient and effects on the fetus and neonate

The growing use of cocaine among pregnant women and women of childbearing age has become an issue of great concern to physicians. Cocaine abuse among parturients is associated with multi-target organ involvement, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, and hematologic systems. Cocaine use during pregnancy is also an independent contributor to the risk of placental abruption, preterm labor, precipitate delivery, stillbirth, and others. Although a history of premature rupture of membranes, smoking, alcohol use, syphilis serology, and use of other illicit drugs suggests cocaine abuse, the single most important predictor is the absence of prenatal care. The intraoperative anesthetic management should take into consideration the different effects of cocaine on the mother, the fetus, and the neonate.