Effects of cocaine use during pregnancy on low birthweight and preterm birth: systematic review and metaanalyses

Abstract

Objective: To review systematically maternal antenatal cocaine exposure and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Study design: Medline, Embase, CINAHL and secondary references in relevant studies were searched. English language studies of antenatal cocaine exposure and pregnancy outcomes published from 1966 to July 2009 were included. Metaanalyses were performed using the random effects model.

Results: Thirty-one studies were included. Cocaine use during pregnancy was associated with significantly higher odds of preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 3.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.72-4.21), low birthweight (OR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.90-4.63), and small for gestational age infants (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.43-4.30), as well as shorter gestational age at delivery (-1.47 week; 95% CI, -1.97 to -0.98 week) and reduced birthweight (-492 g; 95% CI, -562 to -421 g).

Conclusion: Prenatal cocaine exposure is significantly associated with preterm birth, low birthweight, and small for gestational age infants.