TERATOGENICITY AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE FETUS (Part Two)
2 - TOBACCO
Its action is related to the vasoactive effect or the reduction of the oxygenation level.
Smoking reduces fetal growth (the fetus has an average weight of 200 grams less than non-smokers).
Smoking doubles the risk of low birth weight and for IUGR.
Increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, placenta previa, placental abruption, and premature birth.
The signs are:
- hydrocephalus
- microcephaly
- cleft palate
- omphalocele
- gastroschisis, small intestine atresia
- hand anomalies
Prevention: stop using tobacco the moment pregnancy is planned.
3 - DRUGS
A - Amphetamines
- In high doses have teratogenic effects.
- Used for the treatment of obesity and narcolepsy.
- Do not cause congenital anomalies but cause symmetric intrauterine growth retardation.
B - Cocaine
- It is one of the most widely used drugs.
- Its action is related to the local anesthetic effect, local vasoconstrictor, and stimulant in the central nervous system.
- Quadruples the risk for urinary tract defects, psychomotor development anomalies, behavioral disorders.
C - Heroin
- The frequency of congenital anomalies is not common with the use of heroin but increases the risk for intrauterine growth retardation, perinatal death, and other perinatal complications, behavioral disorders, sleep respiratory function anomalies.
- Causes withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, irritability, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures.
- Symptoms usually last less than 10 days, sometimes more.
D - Methadone
- Used as therapy for drug addiction.
- High doses have a teratogenic effect in animals, while in humans there is no increased risk for congenital anomalies.
- Increases the risk for premature birth, rapid delivery, placental abruption, and problems from meconium fluid.
E - Marijuana
- Also called hashish.
- In high doses has a teratogenic effect in animals, while in humans there are no comprehensive studies linking it to congenital anomalies.
- Exposure to it causes low birth weight.