Effects of Cocaine on Fetus

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that medical science has shown that the use of drugs by a woman who is pregnant has a profound effect upon the fetus both during pregnancy and after the birth of the child. The writer then explains that the objective of this work is to research prenatal development of the fetus and the effects that the mother's use of cocaine has upon the fetus. The writer maintains that cocaine-exposed infants prior to their birth are more likely to be low birth weight, shorter in length, have behavioral problems, be born much earlier than normal, as well as experience structural abnormalities and to have respiratory problems and complications related to heart deformities. The writer concludes that cocaine use during pregnancy by the pregnant woman creates a significant risk for the fetus.

Outline:
Introduction
Reproductive Risks of Cocaine
Teratogens
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Hepper states that three major principles guide the development of the fetus which are: (1) development proceeds in a cephalocaudal direction, or from head to foot; (2) development proceeds from the basic to the more specialized; and (3) development proceeds in order of importance. The most critical time for exposure during the embryonic period or the period of "organogenesis" as this is the period when the formation of the main organs of the body begins. Exposure during the fetal period, which is from around nine weeks from the conception cause delay and impairments in the fetus' growth. It is interesting to note that ..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Rizk, Botros; Atterbury, Jana L. and Groome, Lynn, J. (1996) Reproductive Risks of Cocaine. Human Reproduction Update 1996 Vol. 2, No. 1. European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. Online available at: http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/2/1/43.pdf
• Hepper, Peter (2006) Prenatal Development Chapter 3. A. Slater and M. Lewis Chapter 3 V1 22 Aug 2006. Online available at: http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199283057/slater_chap03.pdf
• Robinson, Roderick, et al (2000) Comparison of Cerebrovascular Effects of Intravenous Cocaine Injection in Fetal, Newborn and Adult Sheep. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 279: H1-H6, 2000. Online available at: http://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/279/1/H1.pdf
• Physiologic Effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure in Neonates (nd) MedScape. Online available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/515684_5

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