Editing Meconium (section)

=== Testing meconium for drugs ===
Meconium can be tested for various drugs, to check for ''in utero'' exposure. Using meconium, a Canadian research group showed that by measuring a by-product of [[ethanol|alcohol]], fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), they could objectively detect excessive maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.<ref>Chan D, Knie B, Boskovic R, [[Gideon Koren|Koren G.]] Placental handling of fatty acid ethyl esters: perfusion and subcellular studies. J Pharmacol ExpTher 2004; 310: 75-82.</ref> 

In the US, the results of meconium testing may be used by [[child protective services]] and other [[law enforcement agency|law enforcement agencies]] if the capacity of the parents to look after their child is in question.<ref>''G.B. v. Dearborn County Div. of Family and Children'', 754 N.E.2d 1027 (Ind.Ct.App., 2001).</ref> Meconium can also be analyzed to detect the tobacco use of mothers during their pregnancy, which is commonly under-reported.<ref name="pmid20799929">{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=Braun JM, Daniels JL, Poole C, Olshan AF, Hornung R, Bernert JT, Xia Y, Bearer C, Barr DB, Lanphear BP |date=August 2010 |title=A prospective cohort study of biomarkers of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure: the correlation between serum and meconium and their association with infant birth weight |journal=Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source |doi=10.1186/1476-069X-9-53 |pmc=2944243 |pmid=20799929 |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=53 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2010EnvHe...9...53B }}
*{{lay source |template = cite press release|url= https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100827082153.htm|title = Baby's first full diaper can reveal mother's smoking|date = August 27, 2010 |website = sciencedaily.com }}</ref>