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Fetus Brain Development

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Meth Usage and Fetus Brain Development A common teratogen that causes problems in pregnancy is the use of methamphetamine, a stimulant that affects a person’s central nervous system, by the potential father or mother. Research on methamphetamine abuse among pregnant women is in progress and has been for several years, but the exact effects of prenatal exposure to this drug are still actually limited. It is common for a child of a mother who used meth during pregnancy to have brain development problems. The National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA), (2013) informs us that there have been only small samples of pregnant women researched for only using methamphetamine, therefore, the results are limited to knowing that “neurobehavioral problems such …show more content…

Kwiatkowski et al (2014) informs us that when the infant is first born they are drowsy and lethargy, by the time they reach 1 they show signs of problems with speech, autism, and unlike strangers, by age of 4 their IQ is less than average, and by age 8 they seem to be more aggressive to their peers. These are significant problems that are due to problems within the operation of the brain and strongly corresponds with brain development consequences, as a result of prenatal exposure to meth. Since research is telling the public of these complications in the brain development of the fetus society is beginning to change their view and their thinking about the issue.
Influences on Social Policies and Thinking There have been significant changes in how society views and deals with prenatal drug usage. Roussell, Holmes, and Anderson-Sprecher (2009) states that according to lots of information collected concerning the usage of meth that prevention policies have been placed into effect to deal with the problem (p.1037). These policies affect us in various ways. There have been laws made that convict a person of child-abuse, if meth is found in the infants system; prenatal or birth, Sullum (2014) informs us that a women who gave birth to a child that tested positive for meth were arrested and charged for consuming meth while she was pregnant and it …show more content…

A., Roos, A., Stein, D. J., Thomas, K. G., F., & Donald, K. (2014). Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure: A review of cognitive and neuroimaging studies. Metabolic Brain Disease, 29(2), 245-54. doi:http://dx.doi.org.library.capella.edu/10.1007/s11011-013-9470-7
Maxwell, J. C. 2014. A New Survey of Methamphetamine Users in Treatment: Who They Are, Why They Like ‘Meth’, and Why They Need Additional Services. Substance Use & Misuse, 49(6), 639-644. doi:10.3109/10826084.2013.841244
NIDA. (2013, September 19). Methamphetamine. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine on 2017, May 14
Roussell, A., Holmes, M. D., & Anderson-Sprecher, R. (2009). Community Characteristics and Methamphetamine Use in a Rural State. Crime & Delinquency, 59(7), 1036-1063. Doi: 10.1177/0011128709336939
Sullum, J. (2014, 10). Don't put meth moms in jail. Reason, 46, 16. Retrieved from

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