Toxicology as a Diagnostic Tool to Identify the Misuse of Drugs in the Perinatal Period

Jones J (2023) Toxicology as a diagnostic tool to identify the misuse of drugs in the perinatal period. Front. Pediatr. 10:1071564. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.1071564
Received: 16 October 2022; Accepted: 23 December 2022; Published: 8 February 2023.

Abstract

The use, misuse, and abuse of substances are a continued public health concern in this country and around the world. Perinatal exposure to substances of abuse is associated with several long-term negative consequences for the neonate. Limited resources exist to assist perinatal health professionals on this very complex subject. The purpose of this document is to provide additional information about selecting monitoring protocols, the specifics of appropriate testing methodologies, and the interpretation of toxicological findings. Understanding these concepts better allows perinatal healthcare professionals to be a voice for the voiceless in order to protect and enrich lives during this unprecedented opioid epidemic.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Loretta Finnegan for the encouragement to prepare this manuscript. Additionally, I would like to thank Guida Brown for reviewing and editing the paper.

Keywords: newborn toxicology, maternal substance use, substance abuse, prenatal drug exposure, umbilical cord testing, meconium testing, forensic testing

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