CHANGES IN PERINATAL COCAINE USE IN AN INNER-CITY HOSPITAL, 1988 TO 1992

Temporal trends in perinatal drug use among parturients at an inner-ci ty hospital were assessed in a cohort study of 1300 parturients in 199 1 through 1992 and 1111 parturients in 1988 through 1989. Toxicology r esults were coupled to data sheets containing demographic and obstetri cal information. A decrease was noted between 1988 and 1992 in the pre valence of cocaine metabolites, independent of the utilization of pren atal services. An increase in marijuana use and no change in : opiate use were seen. When adjusted for ethnicity and receipt of care, a 50% decline in the odds ratio (OR) of cocaine use was noted between 1988 a nd 1992 (OR = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.39, 0.79).