ISSN: 0022-1198
Page Count: 6

Tissue Distribution of Cocaine in a Pregnant Woman
Cofino, JC
Forensic toxicologist, Dade County Medical Examiner Department, FL

Mittleman, RE
Associate medical examiner and chief toxicologist, Dade County Medical Examiner Department, FL

Hearn, WL
Associate medical examiner and chief toxicologist, Dade County Medical Examiner Department, FL

(Received 20 May 1988; accepted 2 June 1988)

Abstract

Reports of cocaine-related obstetrical problems, including abruptio placentae and spontaneous abortion, have become increasingly evident in the medical literature; however, little is known about tissue distribution of cocaine in the pregnant woman. We report the toxicologic results of distribution studies performed on a pregnant woman and her fetus. Maternal/fetal cocaine concentration ratios were high when comparing blood (9:1), brain (6:5), and kidney (10:6). Possible explanations of the mechanism for lower fetal cocaine concentrations may include uterine vasoconstriction, incomplete maternal/fetal equalibration, or rapid placental, fetal clearance.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, cocaine, pregnancy, tissues (biology)

Paper ID: JFS12662J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12662J
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