Alcohol Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alcohol, including details on use, abuse, treatment, health, rehab.

Management of chemical dependence in pregnancy.

Christensen C

Addiction Medicine Services, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. cchriste@med.wayne.edu

Although the percentage of pregnant patients who use illicit drugs is relatively low, the effects can be devastating on both mother and fetus-loss of custody, growth restriction, placental abruption, and death. The practicing obstetrician may be unfamiliar with the various presentations of chemical dependency in pregnancy, including intoxication and withdrawal, and difficulty in making the diagnosis. The obstetrician is in the unique situation of being responsible for the safety of both mother and fetus, which may involve engaging the unwilling patient in treatment.

Published 8 May 2008 in Clin Obstet Gynecol, 51(2): 445-55.
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