Methamphetamine and
Pregnancy
Author: Kathryn Wells, MD
Medical Director
Denver Family Crisis Center
(720) 944-3747
E-Mail:
Dr. Kathryn Wells
Methamphetamine
use during pregnancy is believed to place the unborn fetus at risk.
Methamphetamine causes increased maternal blood pressure and heart rate,
which can
result in premature delivery or spontaneous abortion. The drug also
constricts blood
vessels in the placenta that feed the fetus which results in reduced blood
flow to the fetus and ultimately reduced oxygen and nutrient supply. It is
known that Methamphetamine passes through the placenta that feeds the
fetus and can cause elevated fetal blood pressure potential leading to
prenatal strokes, heart or other major organ damage. It can also cause an
increased or extremely variable heart rate in the fetus and slowing or
alteration of fetal growth.
Fetal development
abnormalities have been described sporadically in the medical literature
but no true syndrome specifically linked with maternal use of
Methamphetamine use in the prenatal period has been described. Fetuses
exposed in utero have been shown to have central nervous system
abnormalities, cardiovascular system abnormalities, intestinal
abnormalities, urogenital system abnormalities, and malformations of the
extremities. However, though these results are very suspicious and highly
suggestive of the involvement of Methamphetamine use, the direct link
between fetal abnormalities and maternal Methamphetamine use is not
clearly discernable.
With the
exception of any major organ system damage or permanent vessel damage,
birth outcomes are felt to improve if the mother stops using the drug in
the last 1 to 3 months of the pregnancy.
The full effect
of maternal use of Methamphetamine on the newborn infant is not completely
known and there is currently a multi-center study underway to better
describe this issue. It is, however, known that the infant may suffer
intrauterine growth delay and may be smaller than the norm at birth. Some
of these infants have withdrawal symptoms and a recent study showed that
about 4% of that study of Methamphetamine exposed infants needed treatment
for withdrawal. Newborns that were exposed to Methamphetamine in utero are
frequently very sleepy for the first few weeks after birth, often to the
point on not waking to feed. After this time, the infants behave more like
a cocaine-exposed infant and are often jittery, irritable and have a
shrill cry. Infants may have irregular sleep patterns, poor feeding,
tremors and increased muscle tone. These infants may also have a poor
ability to habituate or self-regulate, especially under stressful
situations. Therefore, if their environment is noisy and chaotic, the
infants do not tolerate it well and can become even more irritable.
Finally, these
infants are known to be at increased risk for SIDS, viral hepatitis (such
as Hepatitis B and C), and HIV.
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Meth & Pregnancy Abuse/Neglect Medical Evaluations Caring for DEC
Introduction Exposure Signs Living with Meth DEC DEC Reporting Dr. Wells Papers Dr. Shah Biography DEC Links
Research:
Newborn's Hair Test of Mom's Meth
Use
Research:
Meth
Use Restricts Fetal Growth |