Implications of psychoactive 'bath salts' use during pregnancy

Nurs Womens Health. 2014 Jun-Jul;18(3):220-30. doi: 10.1111/1751-486X.12123.

Abstract

Psychoactive bath salts (PABS) comprise a group of highly dangerous designer drugs showing a sharp escalation in reported U.S. exposures from 2010 through 2012, following rapid spread of the drug in Europe. Since a federal ban on the major ingredients in October 2011, numbers have declined. However, evidence from the United Kingdom shows an initial decline after the UK ban in 2010 with a 400 percent increase in reports by 2012. Actual information about the effect of PABS use on pregnant women and fetuses is almost nonexistent. Clinicians should be aware of the potential maternal, fetal and neonatal effects of PABS.

Keywords: PABS; bath salts; drug intoxication; pregnancy; psychoactive bath salts.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Designer Drugs / chemistry
  • Designer Drugs / toxicity*
  • Drug and Narcotic Control
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Methamphetamine / analogs & derivatives
  • Methamphetamine / chemistry
  • Methamphetamine / toxicity
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Pregnancy / drug effects*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / chemistry
  • Psychotropic Drugs / toxicity*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / etiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / nursing

Substances

  • Designer Drugs
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Methamphetamine
  • mephedrone