Methamphetamine Consumption during Pregnancy – Effects on Child Health

Abstract

Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy represents an emerging health care problem. The consequences are not only of relevance to the pregnant women, but also their unborn child. It is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and hypertension, fetal demise, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction. The deleterious effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on the developing fetal brain may lead to long-term neuro-developmental and behavioral problems.Given the current evidence, abuse of methamphetamine during pregnancy must be of utmost concern to health care professionals and to policy-makers. As it has been described for neonatal abstinence syndrome, a multi-professional team is required to improve care of affected women and families. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed, including good prenatal care of pregnant women, perinatal care by specialized obstetricians and neonatologists, and psychiatric treatment by an addiction specialist. Furthermore, families should be integrated into appropriate social support networks.For the development of a structured support program for pregnant women with methamphetamine consumption, methamphetamine use disorder should be considered as a disease that requires medical treatment as well as psychological and social support. The pregnancy should be considered as a window of opportunity to provide the required help.