Maternal cocaine abuse – An evidence review

In Australia, the use of illicit substances is on the rise, with as many as two in five people admitting to having ever used an illicit substance. As illicit drug availability is becoming ever more readily available, it has been argued that maternal substance use is increasing the demands of neonatal intensive care units and special care nurseries Australia wide. Cocaine causes miscarriage due to its vasoconstrictive effects on the blood supply of the developing foetus when used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore there is an increased risk of the foetus developing congenital anomalies and insufficient intracranial growth all due to the vasoconstrictive teratogenic effects of cocaine.