The Effects of Crack Cocaine on the Unborn Fetus

In recent decades, the use of crack cocaine by pregnant women has created an outcry from the general public and the medical community unlike no other. Crack cocaine is an illegal drug the effects of which are just now beginning to be understood, especially the effects of the usage on the unborn fetus. Medical problems seemingly insurmountable are present in the majority of babies born to women who used crack cocaine during pregnancy.

Crack cocaine is a solid, smokeless form for cocaine. This more potent form increases the effects of the drug on the user and is significantly more dangerous than regular cocaine usage. Users create solid "rocks" with the powder form of cocaine by mixing it with baking soda. The solid form gives the user a higher concentration of the drug during each usage, though the effects last only a few minutes. It releases a chemical called dopamine from the brain into the body causing the user to experience a burst of euphoria each time it is used. It is the most addicting forms of the drug. The user is not only prone to become psychologically addicted to the drug, but after just a short period of usage (as little as one time), the user experiences physical addiction to the drug as well. This heightens the dangers of using it while pregnant tremendously. Many users will mix just about anything with the powder cocaine to create the solid crack cocaine, making the intake of other toxic chemicals a serious hazard as well.

The effects of the single drug crack cocaine on the unborn fetus are hard to trace down, mostly due to the fact that many users of the drug also abuse other toxins as well. When a user "comes down" off crack cocaine high, even for a short time, the user experiences sudden withdrawal symptoms which they often treat by self medicating with other drugs such as marijuana, alcohol or other drugs. Also studies suggest that most crack cocaine users also smoke cigarettes and engage in other unhealthy practices.

Some of the medical symptoms attributed to the use of crack cocaine on the fetus include the child being born with severe learning, physical and mental disabilities, while other children experience withdrawal at birth and then appear to be perfectly healthy. Studies of children who were exposed to crack cocaine during in utero have produced varied results, but most have revealed these similar features among most of the children studied: deficiencies in cognitive performance, information processing and attention retaining ability. Effects of the drug on the fetus itself during the pregnancy include a higher risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, poor fetal growth, low birth weight, increased risk of birth defects, physical malformations, risk of stroke and heart damage during development and increased risk of brain damage. The use of crack cocaine has been associated with placental abruption which is a medical condition where the placenta pulls away from the uterine wall causing internal bleeding in the womb. Other issues associated with crack cocaine use complications during pregnancy include early contractions and inactive or hyperactive fetal activity.

Physical problems associated with the use of crack cocaine on the fetus during pregnancy include children born with physical malformations, cerebral palsy, and malformation of the urinary tract. Babies born after being exposed to heavy usage of crack cocaine exhibit feeding difficulties, sleeping difficulties, and less responsiveness than the average healthy baby. Studies also suggest that these children have difficulty in areas of fine motor skills as well as having an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Other studies have resulted in findings that crack cocaine exposed infants exhibit neurological disorders, high respiratory and heart rates, tremors, poor or extra heightened startle responses, instances of sleep apnea, and visual abnormalities associated with damage to the iris. Psychological research also indicates that children born after being exposed to crack cocaine have difficulty bonding with care givers which leads to further psychological problems in later years.

Though studies are not conclusive as of yet, more research is needed to determine exactly which factors are attributed solely to the use of crack cocaine in determining the full effects of the drugs use during pregnancy. As crack cocaine usage continues to be a social problem, research determines a significant role in determining the course of treatment of those affected. The full effects of damage to the fetus due to crack cocaine usage may never be known.