Amphetamine abuse in pregnancy: the impact on obstetric outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether pregnant women with amphetamine abuse developed more obstetric complications than non-drug abuser pregnant women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective case control study was undertaken. Pregnant women with amphetamine abuse who delivered between January 2002 and December 2003 were compared to control pregnant women.

RESULTS

Pregnant women who abused amphetamine were more likely to develop anemia, preterm delivery, thick meconium stained amniotic fluid, and delivered small for gestational age neonates. However, cephalopelvic disproportion was less frequently found in the amphetamine abuse group.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women who abuse amphetamine experience more obstetric complications than the non-drug abuser. This information may be useful to medical personnel who are caregivers of these pregnant women to provide adequate perinatal care.