The effects of intrauterine cocaine exposure: Transient or teratogenic

The use of cocaine and its smoked derivative, crack, is increasing in America. Among those affected are neonates of women who use cocaine during pregnancy. This paper examines the potential effects of maternal cocaine use upon the develop-ingfetus emphasizing neuropsychological and behavioral effects including those that typically persist into early childhood and beyond. Empirical research should contin-ue to explore the effects of maternal cocaine use focusing on whether or not the many detrimental effects of cocaine use during pregnancy are transient. directly ter-atogenic, or indirect and due to prolonged hypoxia. Cocaine, in various forms, is a drug of choice used by an increasing segment of the population each year. Tragically, countless unborn infants are forced to suf-fer the effects of cocaine upon their developing bodies and minds. We have only recently begun to study the effects of cocaine and still do not fully understand or comprehend the consequences of cocaine use during pregnancy. There are numerous research studies published and in process detailing the consequences of cocaine use in the human body, but there is little information that details the direct effects of maternal cocaine use upon a fetus. Some research findings that are available suggest that the effects of intrauterine cocaine exposure are onl