Drugs in pregnancy: the effects on mother and her progeny

Physiol Res. 2012;61(Suppl 1):S123-35. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.932357.

Abstract

Drug abuse during pregnancy is a growing problem in all developed countries all over the world. The drugs easily cross the placental barrier into the fetal body and are present also in the maternal milk. Therefore, it may affect the development of the child pre- as well as postnatally. The effects of prenatal drug exposure are long-lasting and persist until adulthood. The present review summarizes the clinical and experimental evidence showing how opioids and psychostimulants can affect maternal behavior of drug-abusing mother and the development of their offspring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / complications
  • Opioid-Related Disorders / metabolism
  • Placenta / drug effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / metabolism*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / metabolism