Occasional reviewIntrauterine illicit drug exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes for children: how current literature informs management and assessment

Drug use in pregnancy is a common problem but patterns of drug use vary over time and trends in drugs used may be different in different countries. Despite the difficulties in identifying all drugs or substances that women may use in pregnancy, and what particular effects each drug will have on the developing fetus, there is a wealth of literature on the most commonly abused drugs. This article aims to provide an overview of what is currently known about the long term neurodevelopmental consequences for children who have been exposed to drugs in the prenatal period, and how this information can inform clinical management. Drugs referred to in this review include opiates and opioids, (heroin and methadone), cocaine, amphetamines (methamphetamine), ecstasy and nicotine.