Investigación de cocaína y marihuana en meconio de neonatos atendidos en un hospital público: Primera experiencia realizada en la ciudad Córdoba, Argentina

we investigated cocaine and marijuana in meconium of newborns attended at the hospital materno provincial of córdoba city and the results were correlated with birthweight and weeks of pregnancy. the samples were analyzed using immunoassay (fpia) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (gc-ms) for confirmation. forty eight samples of meconium were collected during one year period (2007-2008). of the 48 samples screened, 17 correspond to masculine sex and 31 to feminine. fifteen samples of meconium from normal newborns (newborns not exposed to drugs) selected by maternal self report, pregnancy controls were processed as control group. the results obtained in 48 samples of meconium showed 13 cases tested positive for cocaine and/or marijuana. birth weight and weeks of gestation of newborn with positive sample results were compared with a control group. a statistically significant difference (α= 0.05 - p<0.0001) was found in relation to birth weight. although these results arise from a small number of samples, these data have relevance in public health and show the importance of the screening of drugs of abuse in meconium to confirm use in mothers during pregnancy and to interpret the alterations observed in the newborn after delivery as consequence of drug use in prenatal period.