Drug abuse and pregnancy

It is essential for a woman to be aware that drug abuse during pregnancy can cause:

• Miscarriage
• Reduced fetal development (based on gestational age)
• Placental ageing and dysfunction
• Premature birth
• Genital, renal and cerebral fetal anomalies
• Intrauterine fetal death

The newborn baby may present with withdrawal syndrome.

Children of mothers who use drugs during pregnancy may develop:

• Behavioural problems
• Learning disabilities