An Examination of the Long Term Effects of Exposure to Prescription Drugs on Infant Growth and Development

The effects of prenatal exposure to many prescription medications are well known. However, little is known about the long term side effects early exposure to medications used to treat pain and sedate have on growth and development. This paper explores the long-term effects of postnatal exposure to prescription medication. The potential effects are applied to physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development as well as the overall health of an infant. Additionally, the options of the use of commonly used analgesics and sedatives are compared to other pain management options. Research surrounding long-term effects of early exposure to pain and generalizations/recommendations are explained