Drug Abuse Effects on a Neonate

Before they are a month old, newborn babies are commonly called neonates by medical professionals. The first few weeks of an infant's life are critical to their future health and well-being. Motor skills and senses of sight and hearing are still in their developmental stages during the first month of an infant's life, and drug abuse during pregnancy can cause problems which hinder these important stages of growth.

Meth or Methamphetamine

• Immediately upon being born infants need to learn several things, among them how to eat and how to breathe. Infants whose mothers used meth during pregnancy can have difficulty learning these critical skills. They are typically born underweight and can be lethargic, sleeping for excessively long periods. Depending on how often the mother used meth, infants may experience withdrawal symptoms that include being jittery, scratching themselves and even joint injury from excessive movement.

Marijuana

• Smoking marijuana while you're pregnant can result in a premature birth and withdrawal symptoms in the baby, including excessive sensitivity to stimuli and poor sleep patterns.

Ecstasy

• Studies show that infants exposed to ecstasy in the womb are more likely to be born with congenital heart defects, and female infants are more likely to be born with a club foot.

Heroin

• Drug abuse from using heroin while you're pregnant can cause low birth weight and breathing problems, two symptoms which may lead to SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Babies born to mothers who used heroin while pregnant can also experience withdrawal symptoms including fever, irritability, diarrhea, vomiting and seizures.

Cocaine

• Babies whose mothers used cocaine while pregnant may be born premature, causing low birth weight. They may also be born with abnormally small heads, a factor in learning disabilities, and may suffer from strokes, withdrawal symptoms and SIDS.