How does drug abuse affect the fetus?
Many substances including alcohol, nicotine and drugs of abuse can have negative effects on the developing fetus because they are transferred to the fetus across the placenta. For example, nicotine has been connected with premature birth and low birth weight, as has the use of cocaine. Scientific studies have shown that babies born to marijuana users were shorter, weighed less and had smaller head sizes than babies born to women who did not use the drug. Small babies are much more likely to develop health problems. Babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from a mothers use of alcohol during pregnancy exhibit healthy problems similar to babies whose mothers use other drugs during pregnancy. Whether a babys health problems, when caused by alcohol or other drug, will continue as the child grows, is not always known. Research does show that babies born to mothers who use marijuana regularly during pregnancy may have trouble concentrating, even when older. Research continues to produce insi
