Frecuencia de consumo de drogas adictivas ilícitas en gestantes o puérperas y su detección en recién nacidos en un hospital materno-infantil de Asunción

Introducción: la adicción a sustancias ilícitas constituye un problema de salud pública, del cual no están exentas las embarazadas. Los efectos deletéreos sobre el feto pueden tener consecuencias catastróficas. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de uso de drogas ilícitas en mujeres gestantes y caracterizar a estas mujeres y sus recién nacidos de julio de 2020 a julio de 2021. Material y método: Estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional con madres con sospecha de uso de drogas y sus recién nacidos (RN). Se buscó asociación entre variables estudiadas. Se utilizó escala de Finnegan para síndrome de abstinencia neonatal (SAN) y se determinó presencia de drogas en orina. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 107 binomios madres -hijos. Prevalencia de madres adictas de 11,42%. Edad promedio de madres 24,5 años y 29,9% en situación calle. 70% fueron partos vaginales, 90,5% con APGAR de 7-10. 26,1% fueron RN prematuros. RCIU 34,5%, PEG 35,5%. 93,3% mujeres se autorreportó como consumidora, 57,9% tuvo control prenatal nulo. 56% de gestantes presentó signos evidentes de ser consumidora de drogas ilícitas al ingreso. La droga más consumida fue la cocaína (COC) 85%. Detección de cocaína en RN fue 81,3%. SAN en 24,2% RN. Se encontró Cocaína en la orina de 18/26 de los pacientes con SAN, y en 64/77 de los pacientes sin síndrome de abstinencia. Tuvo Lues el 25,9%. Se encontró asociación de SAN con la presencia de COC en el RN. Conclusiones: el consumo de drogas en la embarazada expone al RN a drogas deletéreas, siendo la droga más frecuentemente consumida la COC. La prevalencia de SAN fue baja, encontrándose asociación entre esta entidad y la presencia de COC en RN.

Introduction: Addiction to illicit substances constitutes a public health problem, from which pregnant women are not exempt. The deleterious effects on the fetus can have catastrophic consequences. Objective: To determine the frequency of illicit drug use in pregnant women and to characterize these women and their newborns during the time period from July 2020 to July 2021. Materials and methods: this was a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study with mothers suspected of drug use and their newborns (NBs). An association was sought between the studied variables. The Finnegan scale for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) was used and the presence of drugs in urine was determined. Results: 107 mother-child pairs were included. The prevalence of addicted mothers was 11.42%. Average age of mothers was 24.5 years and 29.9% were living on the street. 70% were vaginal deliveries, 90.5% with an APGAR score of 7-10. 26.1% were premature newborns. IUGR 34.5%, SGA 35.5%. 93.3% women self-reported as drug consumers, 57.9% had zero prenatal control. 56% of pregnant women presented obvious signs of being an illicit drug user upon admission. The most consumed drug was cocaine (COC), 85%. Detection of cocaine in newborns was 81.3%. NAS was diagnosed in 24.2% NB. Cocaine was found in the urine of 18/26 of the patients with NAS, and in 64/77 of the patients without withdrawal syndrome. 25.9% had Lues. An association of NAS with the presence of COC in the newborn was found. Conclusions: drug use in pregnant women exposes the newborn to deleterious drugs, COC being the most frequently used drug. The prevalence of NAS was low, although we found an association between NAS and the presence of COC in newborns.

Severe irritability in a critically ill preterm infant: a case of delirium at the neonatal intensive care unit / Grave irritabilidade em prematuro criticamente doente: um caso de delirium na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal

ABSTRACT Delirium is a common disorder in intensive care units, being associated with greater morbidity and mortality. However, in neonatal intensive care units, delirium is rarely diagnosed, due to the low familiarity of the neonatologist with the subject and the difficulties in the applicability of diagnostic questionnaires. This case report aimed to assess the presence of this disorder in this group of patients and identify the difficulties encountered in the diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of a premature newborn with necrotizing enterocolitis during hospitalization and underwent three surgical approaches. The newborn exhibited intense irritability, having received high doses of fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, clonidine, ketamine, phenytoin, and methadone, without the control of the symptoms. A diagnosis of delirium was then made and treatment with quetiapine was started, with a complete reversal of the symptoms. This is the first case reported in Brazil and the first describing the withdrawal of the quetiapine.

RESUMO Delirium é uma síndrome comum em unidades de terapia intensiva, associando-se a maiores morbidade e mortalidade. No entanto, nas unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal, ele raramente é diagnosticado em razão da baixa familiaridade do neonatologista com a suspeita diagnóstica e das dificuldades na aplicabilidade dos questionários diagnósticos. Este relato de caso tem como objetivos mostrar que delirium está presente nesse grupo de pacientes e apontar as dificuldades encontradas no seu diagnóstico e tratamento. Relatamos o caso de um recém-nascido prematuro com enterocolite necrosante, submetido a três abordagens cirúrgicas. O recém-nascido apresentou intensa irritabilidade, tendo recebido altas doses de fentanil, dexmedetomidina, clonidina, cetamina, fenitoína e metadona, sem controle dos sintomas. Em seguida, foi feita a hipótese diagnóstica de delirium e iniciado tratamento com quetiapina, com reversão completa dos sintomas. Este é o primeiro caso notificado no Brasil e o primeiro que descreve a suspensão da quetiapina.

Lactente em abstinência de cocaína, relato de caso / Neonatal abstinence from cocaine, a case report

Objetivo: descrever o caso de um lactente exposto à cocaína e as repercussões clínicas da sua ingestão por meio do leite materno. Relato do caso: lactente, com um mês e três dias de vida e peso de 3.920g vem à emergência, por quadro de hipoatividade, rebaixamento de sensório, choro e sangramento nasal. Afebril, irritada, chorosa, sem sinais de esforço ventilatório ou sangramentos ativos. Exames mostraram leucocitose 13490/uL, acidose metabólica discreta, aumento de transglutaminase oxalacética e provas de coagulação alargadas. Demais exames laboratoriais sem alterações e culturas negativas. Screening toxicológico revelou cocaína no plasma da lactente. O Centro de Informações Toxicológicas, recomendou monitorização e suporte clínico. A paciente recebeu alta da unidade de terapia intensiva para enfermaria cinco dias após admissão, com melhora do sensório, seguindo acompanhamento com a equipes especializadas. Conclusão: o pronto reconhecimento da síndrome de abstinência neonatal permite o melhor manejo da mesma em benefício dos pacientes. O diagnóstico diferencial com quadro séptico pode ser de grande importância em quadros como este.

Objective: describing a case of an infant exposed to cocaine through breast milk and its clinical repercussions. Case report: infant, one month and three days old, weighing 3,920g, came to the emergency room due to hypoactivity, sensory impairment and nose bleeding. Afebrile, irritated, tearful, no signs of ventilatory effort or active bleeding. Tests showed leukocytosis 13490/uL, mild metabolic acidosis, increased serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and enlarged coagulation tests. Other laboratory tests were normal. Toxicological screening revealed cocaine in the infant's plasma. Toxicological Information Center, recommended monitorization, and clinical support. The patient was discharged from the intensive care unit to the ward five days after admission, with sensorium improvement and a follow-up with specialized teams. Conclusions: prompt recognition of the neonatal abstinence syndrome allows for better management of it and high chances of recovery for patients. The differential diagnosis with septic condition can be of great importance in conditions like this one.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in an Infant Born to a Woman on Oxycodone for Cancer Pain: A Case Report

Few pregnant women are prescribed oxycodone for cancer pain. Here, we report a case of neonatal abstinence syndrome in an infant born to a woman using oxycodone long term for cancer pain. During pregnancy, rather than the expected effects on pregnant women for oxycodone use, fetal growth was also favorable. However, the infant presented with respiratory failure after birth and required ventilator management. In addition, the infant required treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Síndrome de abstinencia neonatal debido a exposición prenatal al citalopram: a propósito de un caso / Neonatal abstinence syndrome due to prenatally citalopram exposure: A case report

El síndrome de abstinencia neonatal (SAN) debido a la exposición prenatal al citalopram se desarrolla durante los primeros días de vida, incluso con una exposición al fármaco en dosis bajas. El tratamiento de apoyo es la primera opción, aunque puede usarse el fenobarbital en el tratamiento de este síndrome. No debe interrumpirse la lactancia. Debe hacerse un seguimiento de estos recién nacidos para establecer el desenlace del SAN y las consecuencias en el desarrollo neurológico. En este artículo presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con SAN debido a exposición al citalopram en una dosis más baja que lo informado previamente en la bibliografía durante los últimos seis meses del embarazo. Se utilizó el fenobarbital debido al fracaso del tratamiento no farmacológico.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to prenatally exposure to citalopram can develop during the first days of life even with low dose of drug exposure. Supportive management is the first choice but phenobarbital can be used in treatment of this syndrome. Breastfeeding should not be interrupted. These neonates should be followed both for NAS and neurodevelopmental outcome. In this article, we reported a newborn with NAS due to citalopram exposure with a lower dose than previously reported in the literature, during the last six months of pregnancy. Phenobarbital was used because of non-pharmacological treatment failure.

Revisión narrativa. Complicaciones en la madre, feto y neonato, derivadas del consumo de cocaína durante la gestación / Narrative review. Complications in the mother, fetus, and neonate due to cocaine use during pregnancy / Revisão narrativa. Complicações na mãe, feto e neonato, derivadas do consumo de cocaína durante a gestação

Latinoamérica reporta en las gestantes un consumo de alcohol del 44%, cigarrillo 51.8%, anfetaminas 8.3%, cocaína 2.5% y marihuana 2%. Las gestantes consumidoras representan un problema para las instituciones prestadoras de salud que exige intervenciones intersectoriales e interdisciplinarias por las consecuencias físicas, psicológicas, familiares y sociales que conlleva para la madre, el neonato y el infante. En esta revisión se describen las complicaciones físicas y conductuales en la madre, el feto y el neonato, que surgen por el consumo de cocaína y sus derivados durante la gestación. Se realizó una revisión narrativa a partir de la búsqueda de información científica indexada en las bases de datos Pubmed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct entre el 2000 y el 2015, se utilizaron palabras clave con el fin de realizar una búsqueda estandarizada de información y se incluyeron artículos como productos de investigaciones, revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis. Las gestantes consumidoras de cocaína entrañan un factor de riesgo para la salud pública, con consecuencias físicas, psicológicas, familiares, sociales para la madre, el neonato y el infante, tales como hipertensión gestacional, desprendimiento de placenta, retardo del crecimiento intrauterino y síndrome de abstinencia neonatal. Es necesario que los profesionales de salud, las instituciones hospitalarias y Secretarías locales de salud elaboren, adapten y adopten algún protocolo de notificación, manejo y seguimiento a las madres consumidoras y de sus hijos para promover hábitos saludables, prevención de complicaciones obstétricas, neonatales y seguimiento de repercusiones en el desarrollo y crecimiento de los hijos.

Latin America reported the following data regarding substance abuse in pregnant women: 44% alcohol, 51.8% tobacco, 8.3% amphetamines, 2.5% cocaine and 2% cannabis. Pregnant women using these substances are a risk factor for health institutions due to the physical, psychological, social, and family consequences for the mother and the newborn infant. Thus, intersectoral and interdisciplinary interventions are necessary to treat this problem. This review describes the physical and behavioral complications in the mother, fetus, and neonate as a result of the use of cocaine and its derivatives during pregnancy. A narrative review was performed by means of a search of journals indexed in PubMed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct from 2000 to 2015. Keywords were used in order to perform a standardized literature search, and data from research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses were included. Pregnant consumers of cocaine involve a risk factor for public health due to the physical, psychological, family, and social consequences for the mother, the newborn, and infant, such as high blood pressure, abruption, intrauterine growth retardation, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. It is necessary for local health departments to develop, adopt, and adapt reporting, management, and monitoring protocols for consuming mothers and their children in order to promote healthy habits, prevention of obstetrics and neonatal complications and to monitor the impact on growth and development in children.

Latino-américa reporta nas gestantes um consumo de álcool de 44%, cigarro 51.8%, anfetaminas 8.3%, cocaína 2.5% e maconha 2%. As gestantes consumidoras representam um problema para as instituições prestadoras de saúde que exige intervenções inter-setoriais e interdisciplinares pelas consequências físicas, psicológicas, familiares e sociais que implica para a mãe, o neonato e o infante. Nesta revisão se descrevem as complicações físicas e de condutas na mãe, o feto e o neonato, que surgem pelo consumo de cocaína e seus derivados durante a gestação. Se realizou uma revisão narrativa a partir da busca de informação científica indexada nas bases de dados Pubmed, Lilacs, Ovid, Science Direct entre 2000 e 2015, se utilizaram palavras chave com o fim de realizar uma busca padrão de informação e se incluíram artigos como produtos de investigações, revisões sistemáticas, meta-análise. As gestantes consumidoras de cocaína entranham um fator de risco para a saúde pública, com consequências físicas, psicológicas, familiares, sociais para a mãe, o neonato e o infante, tais como hipertensão gestacional, desprendimento de placenta, retardo do crescimento intrauterino e síndrome de abstinência neonatal. É necessário que os profissionais de saúde, as instituições hospitalares e Secretarias locais de saúde elaborem, adaptem e adotem algum protocolo de notificação, manejo e seguimento às mães consumidoras e de seus filhos para promover hábitos saudáveis, prevenção de complicações obstétricas, neonatais e seguimento de repercussões no desenvolvimento e crescimento dos filhos.

Neonatal repercussions of exposure to crack during pregnancy / Repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação / Repercusiones neonatales de la exposición al crack durante el embarazo

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to identify neonatal repercussions of exposure to crack during pregnancy, according to the clinical practices of the doctors and nurses and to analyze these patients’ care protocols. METHODS: this was a descriptive study with a quali-quantitative approach, conducted using interviews. RESULTS: there was found to be no care protocol and that the majority of newborns were small for their gestational age, premature and with abnormal reflexes, among other complications. CONCLUSION: the results of this study are similar to those described in the literature and reinforce the need for holistic strategies for approaches and interventions for this population.

OBJETIVO: o objetivo neste estudo foi identificar as repercussões neonatais decorrentes da exposição ao crack durante a gestação, segundo a prática clínica dos médicos e enfermeiras e analisar o protocolo de atendimento a esses pacientes. MÉTODOS: trata-se de estudo do tipo descritivo com abordagem qualiquantitativa, realizada por meio de entrevistas. RESULTADOS: verificou-se que não existe protocolo de atendimento e que a maioria dos neonatos é pequena para a idade gestacional, prematura, e apresenta reflexos anormais dentre outras complicações. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados encontrados neste estudo assemelham-se aos descritos na literatura e reforçam a necessidade de estratégias holísticas de abordagem e intervenção nessa população.

OBJETIVO: el objetivo en este estudio fue identificar las repercusiones neonatales de la exposición al crack durante el embarazo, según la práctica clínica de los médicos y enfermeras y analizar el protocolo de atención a esos pacientes. MÉTODOS: se trata de estudio del tipo descriptivo con aproximación cuali-cuantitativa, desarrollado mediante entrevistas. RESULTADOS: fue verificado que no existe protocolo de atención y que la mayoría de los neonatos es pequeña para la edad gestacional, prematura, y presenta reflejos anormales entre otras complicaciones. CONCLUSIÓN: los resultados encontrados en este estudio son semejantes a aquellos descritos en la literatura y refuerzan la necesidad de estrategias holísticas de aproximación e intervención en esa población.

Use of DonnatalTM Elixir in the Treatment of Neonatal Abstinence syndrome.

We present the case of a 6-week-old male infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in which DonnatalTM (phenobarbital, hyoscyamine, atropine, hyoscine) Elixir was used as an adjunct therapy. The infant was born to a mother taking 130mg of methadone per day since conception. Due to NAS, he was treated with a methadone taper and oral clonidine. Yet, despite the majority of symptoms being suppressed with these medications, he remained stricken with colicky pain, unresponsive to supplemental opioids. A trial of DonnatalTM resulted in relief of symptoms and completion of his opioid taper. We recommend DonnatalTM as part of the treatment plan for refractory abdominal symptoms in cases of NAS.

Hijos de madres adictas con síndrome de abstinencia en Terapia Intensiva Neonatal / Neonatal abstinence syndrome in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Introducción. En años recientes, se ha incrementado el consumo de drogas en mujeres mexicanas durante la gestación, surgiendo como entidad el síndrome del feto adicto y el síndrome de abstinencia en el neonato (SAN). Objetivo: caracterizar una muestra de neonatos, hijos de madres adictas a drogas ilícitas y que desarrollaron síndrome de abstinencia, así como conocer la respuesta terapéutica del fenobarbital en estos pacientes. Métodos. Se aplicó en forma prospectiva un cuestionario estructurado sobre la madre y el producto de todos los hijos de madres consumidoras de drogas ilegales que ingresaron a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales Externos del Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde" entre el 1 de enero de 2003 y el 20 de diciembre de 2007, por presentar SAN. Resultados. Noventa y dos neonatos desarrollaron SAN durante el período evaluado. La media de la edad materna fue de 22 años, con un bajo nivel educacional. La droga más utilizada por las madres fue la cocaína, y 10 de ellas resultaron VIH-positivas. La edad gestacional promedio fue de 37 semanas. El peso al nacer, la talla corporal y el conteo de Apgar promedios fueron de 2 600 g, 47 cm y 9 puntos, respectivamente. El síntoma más frecuente fue la irritabilidad (77% de la muestra), y en todos los casos el tratamiento con fenobarbital resultó adecuado para el control clínico de los síntomas y signos. Conclusiones. El SAN constituyó 3.5% del total de ingresos en nuestra institución durante un período de 4 años. En general, los neonatos mostraron cortejo sintomático similar al reportado previamente en la literatura. Se observó una alta incidencia de infecciones concurrentes -en particular, VIH- y un predominio de la cocaína y la marihuana como las drogas más consumidas por las madres. El tratamiento con fenobarbital resultó exitoso para el control de síntomas y signos en todos los casos. Dada su incidencia e importancia clínica, el uso de drogas durante el embarazo y sus consecuencias sobre el producto merecen un estudio más consistente e intensivo en México.

Introduction. To our knowledge, in spite of the increasing drug-abuse statistics in Mexican pregnant women, there are no published clinical researches approaching this issue in our country. We describe the characteristics of neonatal abstinent infants admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) located at the Hospital Civil of Guadalajara. Objective: To describe the characteristics of a sample of neonatal abstinent children as well as the efficacy of phenobarbital as a pharmacological alternative. Methods. Children from drug dependent mothers who were admitted to NICU from January 1st 2003 to December 20th 2007 and developed the neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) were prospectively evaluated with a structured feedback form including parental data. Results. Ninety two NAS cases (3.5% of the total) were recruited in the assessed period. Mother's mean age was about 22 years with a low educational profile. The most common drug consumed by the mothers was cocaine (35%). Ten mothers had HIV-positive results, while the neonatal averaged gestational age was 37 weeks. Birth weight, corporal size and Apgar score mean values were 2 600 g, 47 cm and 9 points, respectively. The most common symptom was irritability in 77% of the patients. All the cases were treated with phenobarbital reaching a successful clinical remission of the symptoms. Conclusions. NAS represented the 3.5% of all the neonate patients admitted in NICU throughout 4 years. Our observations correspond to those previously reported in the literature. High incidence of concomitant infectious conditions was observed -especially HIV- and the predominant used drugs were cocaine and marijuana. Due to its high incidence and clinical relevance, drug-abuse during pregnancy ought to have further study in our country.

Comportamiento neurológico del recién nacido de madre consumidora de basuco durante su gestación / Effect of maternal consumption of cocaine base paste on neurological behavior of newborn infants

Se estudiaron 20 niños recién nacidos, hijos de madres consumidoras de pasta base de coca (basuco), en comparación con 19 controles nacidos de madres no consumidoras, con el fin de detectar en los primeros alteraciones neurológicas y evidencias de supresión; se hallaron las siguientes con frecuencias significativamente mayores en los hijos de madres consumidoras: temblor (p: 0.00001), irritabilidad (p: 0.0015), náuseas (p: 0.003), llanto deprimido (p: 0.004) y succión deprimida (p:0.02); en los restantes signos de supresión (vómito, anorexia, hipersomnia, hiposomnia, hipertonía, cólico y diarrea) y alteraciones neurológicas

Twenty newborn infants from mothers that consumed coca leaves' paste during pregnancy were compared with 19 controls as to their neurological behavior and supression evidences; the following alterations were significantly more frequent (p < 0.05) in infants from consumer mothers: Tremor, irritability, nausea, and depression of crying, suction and prension. The duration of these alterations as well as that of other neurological abnormalities was significantly longer in infants from consumer mothers. These findings reveal that neonates exposed to cocaine because their mothers consumed coca leaves' paste during pregnancy, reveal neurologic alterations as well as suppression signs that sugest a direct and lasting effect of the drug on their central nervous systems; these infants constitute a serious public health problem whose management requires decision and solid knowledge on its repercusions

Repercusion perinatal del consumo de basuco durante la gestacion / Perinatal effects of basuco comsumption during pregnancy

Con la metodologia de cohortes se estudiaron 23 parejas madre-hijo consumidores de basuco; (cohorte expuesta) y 20 parejas no consumidoras que sirvieron como controles. Se comparo en los ninos la frecuencia de retardo ponderal, alteraciones neurologicas, alteraciones fisiologicas en el higado, los rinones y la sangre y signos clinicos, hematologicos y oseos de plumbismo; se determinaron los niveles de plomo en la sangre materna y en la del cordon umbilical. Se encontro que los ninos expuestos presentaban retardo generalizado del crecimiento, incluyendo el tamano del cerebro, y un cuadro neurologico caracterizado por: llanto deprimido, irritabilidad, nauseas y disminucion de los reflejos de succion, marcha automatica, enderazamiento y del alpinista. Con respecto a los tres ultimos, aunque su frecuencia absoluta no fue significativamente superior, si lo fue la duracion promedio de la depresion. Las concentraciones sanguineas de plomo en las parejas expuestas fueron: 15.2+-5.8 ug/dl en las madres. En los controles se encontraron 6.8+-5.0 y 8.4+-4.5 ug/dl respectivamente. Se detectaron alteraciones oseas en 15 ninos expuestos (75%), a saber: en 14 retardo de la maduracion relacionado, posiblemente con el bajo peso y en 6 (30%), lesiones radiodensas metalisiarias longitudinales o transversales atribuibles al deposito de plomo. No se detectaron signos clinicos de plumbismo ni alteraciones fisiologicas en los rinones, el higado o la sangre durante el tiempo del estudio. Los anteriores hallazgos permiten concluir que la exposicion del feto al basuco consumido

We performed a cohort study, to investigate the effects of maternal basuco consumption on fetuses and newborn infants; the exposed cohort consisted of a group of 23 addict pregnant women; the control cohort was constituted by 20 non-addict, non-smoking pregnant women; newborn infants of both groups were checked to detect general and brain growth retardation, neurological abnormalities, and alterations of liver and kidney functions; blood lead concentrations were measured in the mothers and infants. In the exposed infants we found retardation of general and brain growth; neurological involvement evidenced by irritability, nausea and weak cry; also by depression of the sucking, stepping response, Landau and placing reflexes (in the latter three, duration of the depression but not its frequency was significantly higher in the exposed infants); bone changes consisting of maturation delay and metaphyseal dense streaks attributable to lead deposition. Despite significantly higher blood-lead levels in the exposed mothers and infants no evidence could be found of liver, kidney or hematological alterations; lead-poisoning signs were absent. Based on these findings we conclude that fetal exposure to basuco is associated with high blood lead. Levels, generalized growth retardation which includes the brain, bone lesions and a clear-cut but self-limited neurological syndrome