Journal Published Online: 01 September 2001
Volume 46, Issue 5

Detection of Cocaine and Its Metabolites in Breast Milk

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A method was developed for measuring cocaine and its metabolites, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, norcocaine, ecgonine ethyl ester, cocaethylene, and m-hydroxybenzoylecgonine, in breast milk by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Limits of detection for this method ranged from 2.5 to 10 ng/mL, and limits of quantitation ranged from 5 to 50 ng/mL. For each of the compounds measured by this method, linear response was demonstrated to 750 ng/mL. Breast milk was collected from 11 mothers who admitted to drug use during pregnancy and ten drug-free volunteers serving as control subjects. Cocaine was detected in six of the specimens obtained from drug-exposed subjects, and in none of the drug-free control subjects. In breast milk specimens where cocaine and one or more of its metabolites were detected, the concentration of parent compound was greater than any of the metabolites. The highest cocaine concentration found was over 12 μg/mL. Breast-fed infants of cocaine abusing mothers may be exposed to significant amounts of drug orally.

Author Information

Winecker, RE
Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Goldberger, BA
Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Tebbett, IR
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Behnke, M
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Eyler, FD
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Karlix, JL
University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gamesville, FL
Wobie, K
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
Conlon, M
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Phillips, D
Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IL
Bertholf, RL
University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL
Pages: 3
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Stock #: JFS15124J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15124J