Teratogenic Risks from Exposure to Illicit Drugs

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Key points

  • This article presents issues pertaining to limitations with reports about fetal risks and describes current information in humans about fetal effects for specific illicit drugs.

  • Associating illicit drug use with eventual pregnancy outcome is difficult. Concurrent use with multiple substances is frequent, and many users are economically disadvantaged, which contributes to unfavorable perinatal outcomes.

  • Teratogenic effects may be manifested not only as an intrauterine demise or dysmorphism, but

Limitations with investigations about fetal risks

Difficulties in accurately monitoring dose and exposure of a substance continue to undermine the strength of many observations regarding adverse perinatal effects. Illicit drugs and prescription medications for recreational reasons may be intentionally or inadvertently taken at potentially toxic doses. An accurate evaluation of dosage and the exact period of exposure are often not possible. Addiction or the recreational use of illicit substances may lead to the intake of these drugs in large

Cannabis

Marijuana smoke contains many compounds. The most active and most well-studied of these is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which binds to the cannabinoid receptors of the central nervous system. Intoxication leads to an elevated heart rate, a feeling of euphoria, decreased alertness, decrease in motor stability, congestion, and increased appetite, although the mechanism through which it achieves these is not clear.10

Numerous published studies and case reports describe no patterns between maternal

Summary

Pregnant women including those with addictive disorders are commonly concerned about health issues affecting their unborn babies and themselves. Counseling about harmful effects from in utero exposure to a specific illicit or prescription drug is often limited and with usually no defined congenital anomalies or long-term behavior patterns. Fetal ultrasound imaging for anatomy and growth is essential early and repeatedly during pregnancy, although most infants appear healthy at birth and

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