Advances in Meconium Analysis for Assessment of Neonatal Drug Exposure

Abstract Alcohol and drug exposure to fetus is associated with many adverse effects including developmental defects and stillbirth. Meconium is very useful to assess exposure of fetus to alcohol and drugs due to alcohol and drug abuse by mothers. Alcohol is not detected in meconium but minor metabolites of alcohol ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate can be used as markers of alcohol abuse by mother. In addition to alcohol, fetal exposure to various illicit drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine, opioids, cannabinoid, etc. can also be detected by analysis of meconium. Although smoking is not against the law, but fetal exposure to nicotine may also cause adverse effect. Detection of nicotine, cotinine, and related compounds are also very useful in identifying potential exposure of fetus to nicotine, a marker compound of tobacco smoke.