This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Konkol, R. J. Articles by Olsen, G. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Konkol, R. J. Articles by Olsen, G. D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Cocaine Metabolites in the Neonate: Potential for Toxicity

Department of Neurology Division of Pediatric Neurology, Pharmacology and Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR

Laine J. Murphey, MD, PhD

Department of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR

Donna M. Ferriero, MD

Department of Neurology and Pediatrics University of California San Francisco

Delia A. Dempsey, MD

Department of Pediatrics and Medicine Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

George D. Olsen, MD

Department of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR

Recent reports indicate that cocaine metabolites have biologic activity and could be toxic. To explore this possibility, two studies were initiated. The first study aimed to define the distribution of cocaine species by quantifying levels of cocaine and its metabolites norcocaine, benzoylecgonine, and benzoylnorecgonine in newborn cord blood and meconium. The second study sought to determine whether they produced a clinical effect. Compared to cord blood, meconium had a greater number of metabolites and a higher concentration of cocaine and cocaine metabolites, including the previously undetectable norcocaine and benzoylnorecgonine derivatives. Benzoylecgonine was the most common species found in both sources and was usually lower in concentration in blood. An inverse relation existed between meconium benzoylecgonine levels and the serum catabolic enzyme pseudocholinesterase, implying genetic variability in cocaine metabolism. To determine whether cocaine and/or its metabolites could be linked to a distinct clinical state, a second study focusing on newborn behavior was performed with an independent large cohort of cocaine-exposed infants. Neonates with increased signs of "neuroexcitation" had benzoylecgonine and no cocaine in urine, whereas lethargic neonates had detectable urinary cocaine. These findings support the hypothesis that cocaine metabolites, especially benzoylecgonine, may play a role in altering newborn behavior and produce a clinical syndrome distinct from that related to the parent compound. (J Child Neurol 1994;9:242-248).

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 9, No. 3, 242-248 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/088307389400900305


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. M. Iwamoto, C. M. Moore, N. Fujiwara, M. J. Christ, D. M. Gries, and K. T. Nakamura m-Hydroxy Benzoylecgonine Recovery in Fetal Guinea Pigs Drug Metab. Dispos., March 1, 2000; 28(3): 335 - 338. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. H. Tsay, J. C. Partridge, S. F. Villarreal, W. V. Good, and D. M. Ferriero Neurologic and Ophthalmologic Findings in Children Exposed to Cocaine in Utero J Child Neurol, January 1, 1996; 11(1): 25 - 30. [Abstract] [PDF]