Exposure to parental drugs during childhood also can have dire consequences for children. Compared to children of parents who do not abuse alcohol or drugs, children of parents who do, and who also are in the child welfare system, are more likely to experience physical, intellectual, social, and emotional problems.
Special need children
Children with special needs, such as spina bifida, Down syndrome, mental retardation and cerebral palsy frequently use medications which can have side affects such as constipation which can cause Vomiting, weight loss, poor weight gain.
Parental use of drugs whilst pregnancy that affect childs pd weight when born
herion
There is no clear evidence that heroin causes malformations to the foetus, but there is an increase in premature delivery, low birth weight and death around the time of delivery. Forty to eighty per cent of babies will develop a withdrawal syndrome lasting from several days to several months. The children tend to grow normally afterwards, although small head circumference may persist
Cocaine
Amphetamines
They include methamphetamine, speed and Ecstasy, and are known to cause maternal anorexia, hypertension and reduced blood flow to the placenta. There is no conclusive evidence so far that amphetamines cause congenital malformations, but there is a risk of intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery.
Cannabis (marijuana, Indian hemp, hashish)
Cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs in pregnant women, but little is known about its effects during pregnancy. There is conflicting data about the association of cannabis with congenital malformations and neonatal withdrawal syndrome. One long-term study found that the speech and memory performance among four-yearolds whose mothers had consumed cannabis daily or several times a week during pregnancy was affected significantly
Tranquilisers (Benzodiazepines e.g. diazepam, temazepam, etc.)
Some studies have found evidence of cardiac malformation, facial clefts and multiple malformations in the unborn foetus but others have not confirmed this. Withdrawal symptoms may cause the ?floppy infant syndrome? (including lethargy, poor muscle tone and sucking problems). There is very little data on the effects on long-term development.
Acholol- there is a disorder that is a result to maternal alcholol abuse whuch is known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) most babies with this disorder have low birth weight the are also know to be irratible and have trouble eating.
