Screening for Angel Dust in Newborns

Abstract
It was with interest that we read the article "Angel Dust: Possible Effects on Fetus," by Golden et al (Pediatrics 65:18, 1980). We have become increasingly aware that as phencyclidine (PCP) has reemerged as the most commonly abused street drug1 the pool of unborn fetuses at risk has also increased. Although no literature is available concerning transplacental passsage of PCP in humans, Cummings et al,2 have shown that crosses the placenta in pigs. Cummings et al demonstrated that the plasma PCP level of the piglet is approximately ten times that of the mother when the drug is given intramuscularly shortly before cesarean delivery.