Recreational Drug Use: A Major Risk Factor for Gastroschisis?

Guidelines for the Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack

“…Because aspirin crosses the placenta, its use during first-trimester organogenesis could increase the risk of birth defects. Case-control studies have been inconsistent; some, but not all, studies have found an association between first-trimester aspirin use and both gastrochisis [747][748][749][750] and anophthalmia/microphthalmia. 750 Aspirin currently carries an FDA category "D" rating, which indicates that "there is positive evidence of human fetal risk…but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks."…”

Gastroschisis prevalence in Texas 1999–2003

“…Gastroschisis has interesting epidemiologic characteristics, in that (1) prevalence appears to vary with geographic area (Mastroiacovo et al, 2006), (2) there are high rates among teenage mothers (Feldkamp et al, 2008a;Husain et al, 2008;Vu et al, 2008), (3) maternal thin habitus or obesity play a role (Lam et al, 1999;Draper et al, 2007;Waller et al, 2007;Feldkamp et al, 2008a), and (4) smoking (Werler et al, 2003;Hougland et al, 2005;Draper et al, 2007;Feldkamp et al, 2008a) and the use of certain medications (Torfs et al, 1996;Werler et al, 2002;Draper et al, 2007;Lin et al, 2008) and drugs, including amphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana (Torfs et al, 1996;Werler et al, 2003;Draper et al, 2007;Weinsheimer and Yanchar, 2008), are correlated with an increased risk of bearing a child with gastroschisis. Periconceptional genitourinary tract infection has recently been added to the list of risk factors (Draper et al, 2007;Feldkamp et al, 2008b).…”

Illicit substance use in pregnancy – a review

“…45 As with other vasoconstrictive illicit drugs, an association between amphetamines and gastroschisis has been reported. 15,27 Neonates exposed to amphetamine in utero display increased physiological stress, lethargy and lower arousal in the early postpartum period, 46 and long-term data suggest lower performance at 14 years of age 47 associated with smaller head circumference at birth, although overall follow-up data are limited.…”

“…The teratogenic potential of cocaine is not completely defined, although cardiac, CNS, genitourinary and limb malformations have been reported in animal studies and similar abnormalities are noted in human epidemiological and case-control studies, 14,26 as well as an association with gastroschisis. 15,27 The majority of adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes associated with cocaine use relate to the catecholamine surge and resultant hypertension and vasoconstrictive effects, which in the non-pregnant population may result in acute myocardial infarction, seizures or stroke. 25,28 A case series documents 11 pregnant women who used cocaine in pregnancy and presented with a syndrome of hypertension and/or seizures and which strongly resembled preeclampsia/ eclampsia.…”