PERINATAL ADDICTION

Background and Aim : substance abuse during pregnancy continues to be a major problem. The goal of this article is to evaluate the impact of the major categories of substances on pregnancy and perinatal period. The most frequency used substances in pregnancy is opiate, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.Methods : This paper reviews the literature examining substances use in pregnancy. A search of English language literature from 2010 to 2019 using Google scholar, PubMed, Science directs data bases found relevant articles. Most literature is drived from clinical experience. Results : The extent of adverse effects of cocaine use in pregnancy has been overestimated including spontaneous abortion, preterm births, placental abruption, congenital anomalies, premature rupture of membranes, and neonatal issues include poor feeding, lethargy, and seizures. Alcohol is a teratogen and its effects can include spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, growth restriction, birth defect, and mental retardation. Long term effects of alcohol, such as cognitive and behavioral challenges, adverse speech and language outcome, and psychosocial consequences in adulthood. Long term effect of prenatal tobacco exposure spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, placental insufficiency, low birth weight, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, ear infections, childhood respiratory disease, and behavioral issues. Marijuana can lead to fetal growth restriction, as well as withdrawal symptoms in the neonate, low birth weight, small-for-gestational age, and admission to the neonate intensive care unit. Opiate use in pregnancy is correlated with greater risk of low birth weight, respiratory problems, toxemia, mortality, postnatal growth deficiency, microcephaly, and neurobehavioral problems.Conclusion : The impact of the use of illicit substances during pregnancy remains a significant public health problem, which can lead to devastating maternal and newborn consequences. The research result have an important role to play in producing the evidence base for midwifery, nursing, and public health policy and practice.

Keywords:

addiction , pregnancy , substance abuse