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

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 weeks of gestation) were also excluded. Meconium samples (5–10 g) were collected in sterile containers, stored at −20 °C, and subjected to wet digestion using nitric acid (HNO₃) assisted by microwave digestion for compound extraction. Quantitative analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an Agilent 1100 system, following standard analytical specifications. The findings of this study support the applicability of neonatal meconium as a reliable non-invasive matrix for assessing prenatal exposure to selected pharmaceuticals. This approach may contribute to improved monitoring of fetal exposure to commonly used medications and endocrine-active compounds during pregnancy.