Sustancias psicoactivas y embarazo. Estudio en una población hospitalaria de Uruguay

Objective. The objective of this study was to explore legal and illegal drugs in pregnant women at two of the main obstetric public hospitals in Montevideo (Uruguay). Material and methods. To perform this objective the exams in the meconium were used. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEES) were used to determine alcohol consumption in the mother. For other drugs it was ELISA tests. Results. Meconium tests indicated that alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 44.0%, tobacco 51.8%, 2.5% for cocaine/base paste, 8.3% for amphetamines and 2% for marihuana. There was more mother information from a survey carried out at medical controls during pregnancy. The results of this said survey was that 8.9% of those mothers did not have any pregnancy control. Also that 34% of the medical doctors that controlled the mothers aware them on the smoking tobacco risks, about alcohol consumption 27% and 7.8% on illegal drugs use. Conclusions. The present study shows that alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs are frequently consumed by pregnant women in Uruguay, and urge for the development of specific actions at this level.