Association between Maternal Drug Use and Cytochrome P450 Genetic Polymorphisms and the Risk of Congenital Heart Defects in Offspring

Objective This study aimed to assess the associations between maternal drug use,cytochrome P450(CYP450)genetic polymorphisms,and their interactions with the risk of congenital heart defects(CHDs)in offspring.Methods A case-control study involving 569 mothers of CHD cases and 652 controls was conducted from November 2017 to January 2020.Results After adjusting for potential confounding factors,the results show that mothers who used ovulatory drugs(adjusted odds ratio[a OR]=2.12;95% confidence interval[CI]:1.08-4.16),antidepressants(a OR=2.56;95%CI:1.36-4.82),antiabortifacients(a OR=1.55;95%CI:1.00-2.40),or traditional Chinese drugs(a OR=1.97;95%CI:1.26-3.09)during pregnancy were at a significantly higher risk of CHDs in offspring.Maternal CYP450 genetic polymorphisms at rs1065852(A/T vs.A/A:OR=1.53,95%CI:1.10-2.14;T/T vs.A/A:OR=1.57,95%CI:1.07-2.31)and rs16947(G/G vs.C/C:OR=3.41,95%CI:1.82-6.39)were also significantly associated with the risk of CHDs in offspring.Additionally,significant interactions were observed between the CYP450 genetic variants and drug use on the development of CHDs.Conclusions In those of Chinese descent,ovulatory drugs,antidepressants,antiabortifacients,and traditional Chinese medicines may be associated with the risk of CHDs in offspring.Maternal CYP450 genes may regulate the effects of maternal drug exposure on fetal heart development.

The Identification of Prenatal Exposure to Mitragynine Using Umbilical Cord Tissue

Objective: Kratom is widely available and literature exploring the effects of prenatal kratom exposure is lacking. This study aims to report a validated method for the detection of mitragynine in the umbilical cord and report our observations for specimens received at a national commercial reference laboratory. Study Design: Assays were validated according to the recommendations of ANSI/ASB. A retrospective evaluation of records at a national reference laboratory was conducted to determine prevalence and co-exposure to other substances of abuse. Result: Mitragynine was detected in 19 of 4456 specimens (0.43%) with concentrations ranging from 4 to >50 ng/g. Thirteen (13) of these specimens were positive for only mitragynine while the other 6 were also positive for either marijuana or opiates. Conclusion: Umbilical cord is a suitable specimen type for the surveillance of maternal kratom use and can be used to identify exposed neonates for further investigations into short- or long- term health consequences.