What kind of birth defects are caused by drugs?

These include breathing difficulties, poor muscle control, brain damage, learning difficulties, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, growth restriction, smaller head size, and many more. Also, teratogenic drugs can cause severe bleeding, preterm birth, and even fetal death.

What drugs cause deformities?

Each of the following drugs or drug groups may cause birth defects in a developing fetus:

  • ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors.
  • angiotensin II antagonist.
  • isotretinoin (an acne drug)
  • alcohol.
  • cocaine.
  • high doses of vitamin A.
  • lithium.
  • male hormones.

Did thalidomide babies survive?

No-one knows how many miscarriages the drug caused, but it’s estimated that, in Germany alone, 10,000 babies were born affected by Thalidomide. Many were too damaged to survive for long. Today, fewer than 3,000 are still alive.

What percent of birth defects are caused by drugs?

Less than 2 to 3% of all birth defects result from drugs that are taken to treat a disorder or symptom. Sometimes drugs are essential for the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus. In such cases, a woman should talk with her doctor or other health care practitioner about the risks and benefits of taking the drug.

How does drugs affect a fetus?

Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana — also called weed, ganja, dope, or pot — and alcohol before birth has been proven to cause behavior problems in early childhood.

What are the effects of drugs in pregnancy?

Illicit Drugs Illicit drug use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems.

Which drug shows side effects like teratogenicity?

Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:

  • ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as:
  • Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
  • Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
  • Androgens (male hormones).
  • Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.

Is thalidomide used today?

In the 1950s and 1960s, thalidomide was used to treat morning sickness during pregnancy. But it was found to cause disabilities in the babies born to those taking the drug. Now, decades later, thalidomide (Thalomid) is being used to treat a skin condition and cancer.

How old are the thalidomide babies now?

The children of thalidomide are now in their late 50s and early 60s.

How long do drugs stay in a baby’s system?

These tests detect recent use of cocaine and its metabolites, amphetamines, marijuana, barbiturates, and opiates. Cocaine can be detected in urine 6-8 hours after use in the mother and as long as 48-72 hours after use in the newborn.

Is it illegal to take drugs pregnant?

While no state has enacted a law specifically criminalizing drug use during pregnancy, prosecutors have relied on a host of criminal laws already on the books to attack prenatal substance abuse.

How do drugs cross the placenta?

Nutrient and drug transfer across the placenta are by passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, active transport, and pinocytosis. Placental drug transfer is dependent on the physical properties of the placental membrane and on the pharmacological properties of the drug.