"Crystal" and Pregnancy - The Preliminary Results of a Retrospective Study on the Course of Pregnancy and Delivery of Women Consuming Methamphetamine

Abstract

It can be observed that there is an increase in the methamphetamine (MA) consumption in Saxony (Federal Republic of Germany). There is so far no data available in German speaking countries about the risk of MA consumption in pregnancy or delivery. The data from all pregnant women who were examined or delivered at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynaecology between 2010-2015 were retrospectively searched for MA consumption. 119 pregnancies with 113 deliveries of 115 women consuming MA could be evaluated. 88 women admitted the consumption according to the history, 28 women denied it and there was no information available in the records of 3 cases. 113 women agreed to test MA in blood and 93 cases were positive (28 cases of them with low-dose consumption). The statistical analysis was performed by the Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry. The data driven from the quality control report of the department of Gynaecology in 2015 was used as a control group. MA-consumers are significantly younger, without a permanent relationship, without a job and have a low education level. The first detection of the pregnancy was late and the number of performed routine examinations including ultrasound assessment was lower compared to the controls. 7 women had no routine examination. The number of premature contractions, cervical insufficiency and gestational diabetes were significantly higher. The number of patients needing tocolysis, antenatal glucocorticoid treatment for prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome or in-patient care was significantly higher in patients consuming MA. The number of amniotic infection syndrome and premature rupture of membranes were higher. The rate of intrauterine fetal death was 3,5% which was much higher than the rate of control group (0,2%). The MA-consumption increases the risk for mother and child significantly during the pregnancy and delivery (pregnancy complications, premature delivery, increased rate of abortion, intrauterine death). A special attention must be taken for the young pregnant, non-working women without a partner who do not take the routine examinations in account or start having them late.