| Use of alcohol and either teratogenic prescribed medications or illicit drugs can have a very negative effect on pregnancy, putting both the mother and child at risk for arrhythmias, infection, malnutrition, placental abruption, or placenta previa, premature rupture of membranes and personal endangerment. Specific risks to the fetus include fetal alcohol syndrome, a syndrome of intrauterine growth restriction, mental retardation, sensory/motor neuropathies, facial abnormalities, spontaneous abortion and fetal demise. Opioid drugs can lead to prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal infection, meconium aspiration, and potentially fatal narcotic withdrawal. Stimulants are associated with intrauterine growth restriction, and cleft palate, as well as congenital heart defects. | | | | |