Universal screening for substance abuse at the time of parturition

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance abuse in an inner city population at delivery admission by universal urine toxicology screening. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of universal urine toxicology screening at admission for delivery on the LSU obstetric service at University Hospital in New Orleans. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-two women delivered during the first 4 months of 2005. Four hundred and sixteen (90%) had a urine screen performed and 79 (19%) screened positive for 1 or more substances. Rates of a positive test by substance were: cocaine (3.1%), amphetamines (2.4%), barbiturates (2.1%), opiates (2.6%), THC (17.2%), benzodiazepine (5.7%), and phencyclidine (0%). CONCLUSION: Nineteen percent of the tested population screened positive for at least 1 of 7 substances at admission for delivery. Women who used illicit substances were older and of higher parity. Low birthweight and HIV were particularly prevalent in those who screened positive for cocaine and/or amphetamines.