Effect of Drug Abuse during Pregnancy on the Foetusand Neonate

Overview

Objective:
Review of the influence of drug exposition on the foetus and newborn.Design: Review article.Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Teaching Hospital, Charles Universi-ty, Prague.Conclusion: Since 1989 the number of drugusers has been continuously growing in the CzechRepublic. Simultaneously also the number of drugs dependent women during pregnancy is increas-ing. Drugs are consider to be the important risk factor compromising the course of pregnancyand the development of the foetus. Drugs are connected with higher mortality and morbidity ofthe newborns, intrauterine growth retardation of the foetuses and disorders in neuropsychicaldevelopment of the child. This articel presents the most frequent risk factors accompanning thepregnancy of the drug addicts. The modes of the drugs transport to the foetus across placenta aredescribed as well as the influence of the dose, frequency and duration of drugs exposition on thefoetus and the early and late impact on the foetus and the newborn. Special emphasis is put onthe abstinence syndrome of the newborn.

Key words:
drug, foetus, newborn, abstinence syndrom of the newborn