Prenatal substance use Flashcards
epidemiology of substance use by pregnant women (5)
- tobacco and alcohol most common substances used
- illicit and licit drugs lower, but significant
- cannabis most common psychoactive substance used
- many use more than one substance
- substances used vary by race and ethnicity
epidemiological trend of tobacco use in pregnant women (3)
- use is decreasing
- younger women (<24) more likely (also more likely to report use)
- higher rate with lower socioeconomic status
epidemiological trend of alcohol use in pregnant women (2)
- higher rates in older women
- higher rate with lower socio economic status
epidemiological trend of cannabis use in pregnant women (3)
- rates have increased (higher since legalization)
- because more reports or think it’s safe?
- higher rates amongst 15-24 years
risk factors for substance use during pregnancy (7)
- history of drug/alcohol related problems
- family history (genetic and environmental factors)
- frequent encounters with law enforcement
- partner who abuses substances
- history of sexual abuse
- poverty and homelessness
- psychiatric illness - anxiety, depression, PTSD
exposure in different trimesters
trimester 1 -> most likely to have teratogenic effects
trimester 2/3 -> more likely to see cognitive or behavioral effects (affects brain, neurobiology)
pharmacokinetic principles of drugs (4)
- absorption: how does drug enter
- distribution: where does drug go
- metabolism: how is drug broken down
- elimination: how is drug eliminated
ex of how pregnancy can affect ADME
A -> nausea/vomiting: drug less absorbed
D -> more fat, more distribution
M -> fast/slow metabolizers: length of exposure to drug
E -> kidney filtering rate
placenta (2)
- drugs transferred from mother to fetus via placenta (same route taken by O2 and nutrients)
- placenta is temporary organ that attaches to wall of uterus, where umbilical cord arises from
functions of placenta (4)
- provide O2 and nutrients
- remove harmful waste products
- produce hormones
- pass immunity
ability of drug to cross placenta depends on (2)
- physical properties of placenta
- specific physiochemical drug properties
properties affecting drug transfer across placenta: placental properties (7)
- placenta surface area
- placenta thickness
- pH of maternal and fetal blood
- placenta metabolism
- uteroplacental blood flow
- presence of placental drug transporters
- concentration gradient across placenta
drug properties increasing transfer across placenta (4)
- < 500-1000 Da
- uncharged
- high lipophilicity
- no protein binding (smaller molecule)
properties affecting drug transfer across placenta: drug properties (4)
- molecular weight
- lipid solubility
- ionization/charge
- protein binding
which drugs are most likely to pass into breast milk
drugs with same physiochemical properties as those that pass through placenta
mechanisms of fetal harm: general (4)
- direct harm: to fetus itself (teratogen)
- via placenta (indirect): impaired function
- via mother’s physiological response (indirect)
- poor nutritional health secondary to substance use (indirect)
mechanism of fetal harm: tobacco (2)
- increase of nicotine and CO2: vasconstriction + reduction of O2 levels to fetus
- nicotine increases other chemicals that cause deregulation in normal fetal development (catecholamines)
obstetrical complications: tobacco (5)
- spontaneous abortion
- placenta abruption
- placenta previa
- premature rupture of membranes
- uterine infections
neonatal outcomes: tobacco (6)
- premature birth
- stillbirth
- low birth weight
- increased risk of SIDS
- fetal growth restriction
- cleft lip/palate
childhood outcomes: tobacco (5)
- SIDS
- increased risk of asthma
- congenital heart defects
- diabetes mellitus
- impaired cognitive ability
breast milk and tobacco (8)
- nicotine readily absorbed in breast milk
- can possibly decrease milk supply
- reduced appetite
- diarrhea, vomiting
- sleep disturbances
- high risk of SIDS
- increased HR and respiratory illness
- obesity and thyroid problems
impact of alcohol (2)
- crosses placenta
- anxiolytic that causes CNS depression
mechanism of fetal harm: alcohol (4)
- damages cells by ROS: interact with DNA, proteins, lipids
- ethanol and acetaldehyde responsible for biological effects
- underdeveloped fetus liver: unable to metabolize/eliminate alcohol, goes back into mom until she metabolizes it (prolonged exposure)
- prolonged exposure -> teratogenic effects (esp in 1st trimester)
obstetrical complications: alcohol (3)
- IUGR
- increased risk of stillbirth
- increased risk of miscarriage
neonatal complications: alcohol (4)
- FAS
- withdrawal symptoms at birth
- fetal death
- reduced birth weight