Prenatal Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse

WebMD examines the use of drugs, alcohol, and caffeine in pregnancy, and their effects on the unborn child.
Tags: pregnancy, pregnancy and drug use, pregnancy and drugs, caffeine, cocaine, alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, meth, fetal development, fetal alcohol syndrome, low birth weight, head size, feeding problems, sudden infant death syndrome, prescription medications, over the counter

Prescription drug abuse always has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm to an addict and his or her loved ones. This type of substance abuse is serious enough that it often requires professional addiction treatment in order to recover. However, when the addict is a pregnant woman, the risk of harm extends to Read More

Every decade or so, there is a “new” epidemic declared. This time, the media are publishing numerous articles about newborns whose mothers have used prescription medications, specifically narcotics, during pregnancy.

The effects of prenatal exposure to drugs on brain development are complex and are modulated by the timing, dose, and route of drug exposure. It is difficult to assess these effects in clinical cohorts, which are beset with multiple exposures and difficulties ...