Prenatal_Substance_Abuse

Prenatal Substance Abuse The number of babies being born with drug addictions is becoming a wide spread epidemic. Every day, there is a baby born with a drug addiction. “The National Association for Prenatal Addiction Research and Education estimated 375,000 newborns per year face serious health hazards due to their mother’s prenatal drug use” (Pinkerton). Street drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine and crack, can deprive developing babies of vital oxygen and nourishment; this can cause babies to be born with addictions and birth defects. It is also a preventable tragedy. If a pregnant woman is taking drugs and cannot stop, she should contact her local pregnancy resource center. The center can refer the woman to a place where she can get help for her and her baby. More recently, authorities have been attempting to prosecute drug-abusing mothers for harm done to their infants. The mother should not risk losing a baby, her life, or health to drug abuse. In order to approach this problem, the causes, effects, and possible remedies must be analyzed. “About eleven percent of infants are exposed to alcohol or illicit drugs before delivery” (“Prenatal Substance Abuse”). A mother who uses drugs risks her life and her baby’s. When an expecting mother uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems. During pregnancy, the drugs used by the mother can enter the baby’s bloodstream. Maternal substance abuse may consist of any combination of drug, chemical, alcohol, or smoking use during the pregnancy. Along with nutrients, any toxins in the mother’s system may be delivered to the baby. These toxins often cause damage to the fragile, developing organs. Unfortunately, many women use drugs and alcohol for recreation before they know they are pregnant. Others continue to abuse drugs while pregnant as a result of addictions or mental problems that cannot be controlled. A mother’s continuing drug use puts her child at risk for neglect, physical abuse, and malnutrition (Pinkerton). Children born to substance abusing mothers may have short-term withdrawal or long-term developmental malformations. Infants exposed to drugs in the womb are often born addicted and undergo a withdrawal stage called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Newborns with this disease seem to have an increased sensitivity to noise, irritability, poor coordination, excessive sneezing and yawning, and uncoordinated sucking and swallowing reflexes. More significant long-term developmental problems may be seen in babies who are born with growth retardation or various organ malformations. Infants born to mothers who drink, even in modest amounts, may be born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which consists of growth retardation, unusual facial features, and mental retardation. Short-term symptoms for withdrawal may affect the baby’s feeding, nutrition, and initial development. (“Drugs and Alcohol during Pregnancy…”). The consumption of alcohol or using drugs while pregnant can have many harmful effects on a child. The child could suffer a delay in their development of language; emotional and behavioral problems, and perform poorly in school (“Drugs and Alcohol during Pregnancy…”). Substance abuse during pregnancy increases pregnancy complications. It is hard to beat a drug addiction. But a woman who uses drugs can get better with the right kind of treatment, even if she has tried to quit before and failed. Treatment is available, often close to home. The first step is to find out what kind of treatment a woman needs and where she can get it. Prenatal substance abuse is a problem all over the world. This problem is becoming worse every day. Work Cited Pinkerton, Diana. “Substance Exposed Infants and Children.” Kidsource Online. 16 April 2011. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/substance_expos.html. “Prenatal Substance Abuse.” UCSF Children’s Hospital. 20 April 2011. http://www.uscfhealth/manuals/59_subAbuse.pdf#search=’infantdrugeffectsmother”. “Drugs and Alcohol During Pregnancy, a Dangerous Mix for Babies and Mothers.” Goerie. 21 April 2011. http://www.goeric.com/substance/drugs_and_alcohol_during_pregn.html