The effect of controlled drugs on the unborn child and fetus

Illicit substance abuse is more prevalent than thought in women of a child bearing age and its incidence is increasing. Although maternal factors, such as poor socioeconomic status, diet, smoking, alcohol and infection, have detrimental effects on the fetuses of drug-abusing mothers, harm is increased due to the pharmacological activity of the drugs themselves. This article reviews the pharmacophysiological interactions between mother and fetus, describes the general effects of substance abuse during each trimester and details the deleterious effects on the fetus of the more commonly abused controlled drugs.