Problem
Substance abuse during pregnancy and breast-feeding
Other Names:
Alcoholic mothersMaternal alcoholism
Pregnant drug addicts
Nature:
Alcohol and other blood-borne drugs easily crosses the placental barrier, thus passing from mother to child. Depending on the level and the duration of alcohol in women during pregnancy, the consequences vary : spontaneous abortion, premature labour, still births, and foetal alcohol syndrome, characterized by malformations and retarded physical and mental development.
Incidence:
According to one survey, in excess of 11% of all infants born in the USA in 1988 tested positive for alcohol or cocaine the first time their blood was drawn. The State Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse estimated that 12,000 babies would be born addicted in New York City in 1989, and the number of children in foster care has doubled in two years from 27,000 in 1987 to more than 50,000, mainly because of parental substance abuse.
An estimated 1 in 3 women continue to smoke throughout her pregnancy.
Broader Problems:
Cruelty to childrenHarmful drugs used during pregnancy Narrower Problems:
Foetal alcohol syndromeSmoking during pregnancy and breast-feeding Aggravates:
Perinatal mortalityPregnancy disordersChildren of alcoholicsNegative effects of maternitySudden unexpected infant deathViolation of the rights of unborn childrenLow birth-weights Strategies:
Fostering breastfeeding References:
Canadian Institute of Child Health: Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco and Caffeine on the Fetus: a bibliography of the recent human literaturePinkert, Theodore: Current Research on the Consequences of Maternal Drug AbuseDo It Now Foundation: Drugs, Alcohol and PregnancyGartner, Leslie P: Alcohol and Pregnancy Subject(s):
Health Care → NutritionHealth Care → Pharmacy
Medicine → Reproductive system
Societal Problems → Addiction, drug abuse
Society → Maternity, paternity
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST