Prenatal Drug Exposure
Prenatal drug and or alcohol exposure can cause permanent damage to a foetus (unborn child).
What is Prenatal Drug Exposure?
When a woman takes drugs or drinks alcohol during pregnancy, changes can occur in the body and brain of her baby causing long-term effects.
Drugs that may affect a foetus during development can be illegal or prescription medications, including:
• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Inhalants
• Nicotine (cigarettes)
What are the signs and symptoms of Prenatal Drug Exposure? Babies born after prenatal drug exposure may have a variety of symptoms, including:
• Brain damage
• Balance problems
• Behavioural problems
• Cognitive delays
• Congenital syndromes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeding problems
• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• Irritability
• Language delays
• Learning disabilities
• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Tremors from withdraw