Long Term Effects of Drug Addiction on Babies

According to recent research, about 30-40% of drug-exposed babies (Drug Addiction on Babies) suffer from various problems such as controlling behavior, developmental problems, congenital anomalies, poor mental health, difficulty in concentrating, and fine motor control disorders. Previous research has already concluded that babies born to addicted mother face long term effects drug exposure in addition to limitations in community and environmental health. Here we will discuss the long-term effects of certain drugs on babies.

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine exposure affects the babies in the uterus by interacting with serotonin and dopamine pathways that cause neurological changes. Some of these neurological changes persist even during adulthood which causes behavioral problems, while others may resolve before adulthood at some stage. Prenatal exposure to cocaine leads to various diseases that have been proved via clinical trials. These diseases include seizures, schizophrenia, depression, and Parkinson’s disease.

Some researchers also suggest the prevalence of cardiac diseases in babies whose mothers’ abused cocaine during the pregnancy. Cocaine reduces the blood supply to the fetus causing fetal distress and growth restriction inside the uterus.

Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction during pregnancy is associated with cognitive and behavioral problems in addition to the instability of the home environment in babies. According to epidemiological surveys, a small number of children live with their heroin-addicted biological mothers at the age of five years. More than 65% of children whose mothers are addicted to heroin require special education services or additional time to pass a grade.

Heroin addiction is also associated with low birth weight, small head circumference, poor memory and thinking, and low IQ levels. However, according to studies, children adopted by non-addicted parents showed significant improvement in developmental and cognitive functions. Babies born to heroin-addicted mothers are often born with an addiction to heroin and suffer the consequences such as adverse and withdrawal effects of heroin throughout their lives.

Caffeine and Nicotine Addiction

Caffeine intake in adequate amounts is usually safe for both pregnant mothers and babies. However, consumption of more than 300 mg per day is hazardous and increases the risk of heart defects and low birth weight.

Smoking is associated with behavioral and mental issues in addition to growth restriction inside the uterus. According to research, there is a significant decrease in the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in babies whose mothers are chronic smokers and did not quit smoking even during pregnancy. Other problems include learning disabilities and anxiety.

Alcohol Addiction

According to research, a fetus born to an alcoholic mother has a high risk of suffering from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder includes a combination of disorders associated with alcohol consumption, which include Fetal Alcohol Effects, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder.

Other abnormalities associated with alcohol addiction during pregnancy include bone deformities, low birth weight, small head circumference, cognitive disabilities, and motor problems.