NEONATAL MECONIUM AS A BIOMARKER FOR PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO ETHINYL ESTRADIOL, SULFAMETHOXAZOLE, AND IBUPROFEN

Mohammad Mouner Ahmad Alsayegh*, Ekbal Fadel, Flora Mayhoub

ABSTRACT

Prenatal exposure to pharmaceutical compounds and endocrine-active substances represents an important public health concern due to their potential effects on fetal development. Neonatal meconium has emerged as a valuable biological matrix for assessing in utero exposure, as it accumulates xenobiotics during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate neonatal meconium as a biomarker for prenatal exposure to ethinyl estradiol, sulfamethoxazole, and ibuprofen among newborns delivered in selected hospitals in Lattakia and Damascus, Syria. A total of 123 meconium samples were collected from term neonates within the first 24 hours after birth. Maternal and neonatal data were obtained from medical records. Mothers younger than 18 years or diagnosed with pregnancy-related conditions such as gestational diabetes or hypertension were excluded. Neonates with congenital anomalies, pregnancy complications, or preterm birth (<37>

Keywords:

Meconium analysis; prenatal drug exposure; ethinyl estradiol; sulfamethoxazole; ibuprofen; HPLC.

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