MATERNAL COCAINE ABUSE RESULTING IN NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN A RAT MODEL

The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the use of co caine during pregnancy and development of necrotizing enterocolitis in a rat model. Different doses of cocaine HCl were given to pregnant Wi star Albino rats during gestation. Total number of live births, mean b irth weight, mean placental weight and histopathological examination o f the maternal uterus, placenta, embryonal G-I tract and liver were in vestigated. These results were compared with a control group and showe d that the number of live births, mean birth weight and mean placental weight were lower than in non-cocaine controls. Histopathologic exami nations revealed severe inflammation and vascular changes in the uteru s and placenta. We also observed focal necrosis, necrobiosis, cellular debris, haemorrhage, inflammatory reactions in the G-I tract of embry os. These findings indicate that maternal cocaine abuse should probabl y be considered a major risk factor for development of NEC in baby rat s and embryos.