| Drug Type |
Potential Effects of Prenatal Exposure |
| Cocaine
|
Preterm delivery
Abruptio placentae
Smaller-than-normal head size and low birthweight
Low scores on APGAR
Disorganized behavioral states in the prenatal and neonatal periods, possibly reflecting central nervous system damage
|
| Opiates |
Preterm delivery
Miscarriages
Smaller-than-normal head size and low birthweight
|
| Amphetamines and Methamphetamine |
Research inconclusive; findings of differences related to aggressivity and problems relating to peers may be result of postnatal environment |
| PCP |
Research very limited; studies suggest a number of possible consequences such as preterm delivery, neonatal withdrawal, poor consolability and neurobehavioral symptoms such as irritability and tremors |
| Marijuana |
Low birth weight
Shortened gestational period
Complications in delivery
Neonatal neurobiological abnormalities
|
| Alcohol |
Increased risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth
Shorter gestational periods
Reduced birth size and weight
- FAS: Prenatal and/or postnatal growth retardation
- Central nervous system involvement
Facial abnormalities
- Alcohol Related Birth Defects [ARDB]/Fetal Alcohol Effects [FAE]:
- Neurobehavioral deficits in attention and memory
Poor integration and quality of responses
Distractibility and poor organization
|
