Fetal and infant deaths associated with maternal methamphetamine abuse

Abstract

Eight cases of fetal and infant death related to maternal methamphetamine abuse are presented. The mean fetal blood concentration of methamphetamine was 0.36 μg/mL (range, 0.03-1.20 μg/mL), and the mean concentration of amphetamine was 0.05 μg/mL (range, 0-0.08 μg/mL). Both maternal and fetal blood methamphetamine concentrations were obtained in two cases. The maternal and fetal methamphetamine concentrations for these two cases were 0.21 and 0.40 μg/mL and 0.18 and 1.20 μg/mL, respectively. The cause of death for each case, as listed by the pathologist, is also discussed.