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Updated: Feb 28, 2026

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Heroin abuse during pregnancy: Effects on perinatal outcome and early childhood growth

Bertis B Little1, Laura M Snell2, Kraig A Knoll1

  • 1Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas 75235-9032.

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
|June 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Heroin abuse during pregnancy can lead to smaller birth weight in infants. However, studies show that children exposed to heroin in utero generally experience normal postnatal growth and development.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Addiction Medicine

Background:

  • Heroin abuse during pregnancy poses risks to both mother and infant.
  • Known risks include fetal growth retardation, neonatal withdrawal syndrome, and maternal complications.
  • Previous small studies suggested normal postnatal development for exposed infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the relationship between heroin use during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
  • To assess postnatal growth and development in infants exposed to heroin compared to controls.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study comparing 47 heroin-abusing mothers and their infants with 80 control women and their infants.
  • Analysis of neonatal outcomes and postnatal growth follow-up data.
  • Medical records were used for growth follow-up of 58% of heroin-exposed and 27.5% of control infants.

Main Results:

  • Infants born to heroin-addicted mothers were significantly smaller at birth (P<.01).
  • No increased frequency of congenital anomalies was observed in heroin-exposed infants compared to controls.
  • Postnatal development in infants exposed to heroin was not delayed.

Conclusions:

  • Heroin exposure in utero is associated with lower birth weight.
  • Congenital anomaly rates are not increased in infants born to mothers with heroin addiction.
  • Postnatal development appears to be within normal variation for heroin-exposed infants.

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