Investigation on the Effects on Language Development of Prenatal Exposure to Drugs

In animal experiments THC has also been reported to lower levels of female hormones and disturb the menstrual cycle. When monkeys, rats, and mice are exposed during pregnancy to amounts of THC equivalent to a heavy human smoker’s dose, stillbirths and decreased birth weight are sometimes reported in their offspring. There are also reports of low birth weight, prematurity, and even a condition resembling the fetal alcohol syndrome in some children of women who smoke marijuana heavily during pregnancy. The significance of these reports is unclear because

Research has found that teenagers who used cigarettes were twelve times more likely to graduate to marijuana use. A similar study conducted by Denise Kandel (1992) revealed that use of marijuana affects dopamine levels in the brain in a similar way to nicotine. Cigarette smoking facilitates consumption of other substances. Smoking cigarettes initiate juveniles into the sensation of drug inhalation, which desensitizes them from the feeling of smoke clouding their lungs. This paper finds that marijuana pervades the life of a juvenile tobacco smoker. Teenagers who smoke cigarettes

Through the years, substance misuse in the United States has turned into an industrious issue influencing numerous people. In 2008, it was assessed that 17.8 million Americans beyond 18 years old where substance subordinate. Women who use medications during pregnancy can have an enduring impact on fetal. Medications can have an impact of maternal and child wellbeing, yet there are a lot of different variables, which influence it, poor social environment, nourishment, cleanliness, and sexual abuse. Regenerative interruption connected with heroin utilization has been shown in both and women and even low dosages of opiates can impede ordinary ovarian capacity and ovulation. The harm that goes hand in hand with substance utilization comes either straightforwardly from the impact of the medication itself or from issues identified with development and/or unexpected labor. The entanglements of jumbling components clamorous way of life, poor nourishment, liquor utilization and cigarette smoking influence the appraisal of the impacts of cocaine in pregnancy. In obstetric practice, 100% of pregnant women utilizing cocaine or heroin are cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking is presumably the most well known manifestation of substance utilizes and is noteworthy corresponding considering ladies who use unlawful medications. Babies whose moms smoked in pregnancy have a tendency to have lower conception weights and diminished length, cranial and thoracic

In the field of speech language pathology, children may come onto a caseload with an identification of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. About 0.5 to 3 in every 1,000 live births is a child impaired by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has a strong correlation with language delays and language impairments. This research paper will review the relationship between fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and language delays or impairments.

In this article, whether or not prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) contributes to marijuana use at age fourteen is studied. Over the years the use of marijuana and its effects on adolescents has increased. There have been attempts to prevent the use of marijuana among adolescents, but in order to prevent something you have to know the reason for the occurrence. “Among preteens and adolescents, PME predicted poorer performance on tests of memory, attention, and executive functioning” (Day, Goldschmidt & Thomas, 2006). In addition to PME, factors such as: child management practices,

Marijuana has its strongest long-term impact on young users whose brains are developing and maturing. Researchers see a decline in verbal ability as well as general knowledge in children between ages 9-12. (National Institute on Drug Abuse August

“Language Impairments in Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” from the Journal of population therapeutics and clinical pharmacology

Developmental problems along with behavioral health and learning problems are a few more of side effects the baby will have after they are born. All these things can happen to the baby from smoking marijuana.

Even though there are many studies that highlight the damaging effects of maternal alcohol use on a fetus in utero, there are a multitude of other substances that are used by pregnant mothers that have similar and even, in some cases, more extreme repercussions such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. When speaking about pregnancy and drug use, the most common drug that comes to mind is alcohol. During 12 years of schooling, most people are exposed, at one point or another, to the idea of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the detrimental effects of alcohol on a fetus in utero. The effects of maternal use of the aforementioned illicit drugs is less studied, partially because they are used less frequently. It is important, however, that as a population, we become more educated about these drugs and the potentially life threatening outcomes for babies in utero.

In the United States, there has been a growing concern for the number of newborn children that have been exposed to drugs while in utero. The defenseless fetus is subject to any and all substances that the mother ingests, injects, or inhales into her body. Significantly decreased gestational ages as well as low birth weight have been linked to infants that have been born to mothers who are engaging in substance abuse. Marijuana, cocaine, cigarettes, methamphetamine, heroin, and alcohol are some of the more widely abused substances among pregnant mothers (Bailey, McCook, Hodge, & McGrady, 2012).

. . van, d. B. (2007). The association between conduct problems and the initiation and progression of marijuana use during adolescence: A genetic analysis across time. Behavior Genetics, 37(2), 314-25. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10519-006-9124-1 The researchers raise the question of how largely genetic factors play a role in the influence of marijuana use on the individual. Previous research suggests that there is not just one factor, but individuals are more likely to be environmentally influenced. The researchers challenge these findings and suggest that genetics has just as much influence on the individual. Using a longitudinal research design the authors investigated both genetic and environmental influences on the association between earlier conduct problems and the initiation and progression of marijuana use during adolescence. Bivariate genetic analyses were conducted to establish whether marijuana initiation and progression represented a single liability of risk or alternatively, whether these behaviors were more accurately represented as independent liabilities. These findings mark an important shift away from documenting cross-sectional associations between conduct problems and substance use, from which it is impossible to determine the direction of effects, toward the use

Prior to conducting the study it was expected that prenatal drug and/or alcohol exposure would have a negative impact on a child’s academic performance, later in life. The study supported the original hypothesis. There was a very strong, negative correlation between prenatal exposure and academic performance (r=0.9).

The article, “Marijuana and the Teen Brain”, from the Scientific American journal, Claudia Wallis, argues that marijuana negatively affects the teenage brain. Wallis begins her argument by stating her viewpoint on the drug and then proceeds to provide information to support her stance. Multiple studies by scientists/researchers are cited in this article including those based on x-rays of a marijuana user’s brain and others that tested marijuana users on their cognitive skills. Wallis additionally mentions a study on rats which tested the effects of THC. The author provides background information on marijuana to give the reader a better understanding of the concept. This source supports the argument that marijuana use has negative impacts on the human brain because the author also stands behind that argument. Wallis discusses these negative impacts and provides evidence to support her claim. This source cites various studies in which researchers tested the effects of marijuana on the brain which reinforces the argument that marijuana has abnormal effects on the human brain.

Tobacco exposure is linked to the low birth rate, premature birth, and sudden infant death syndrome (Zhou et al., 2014) It is reported that twice as many mothers who are exposed to second hand smoke or smoke themselves give birth to underweight babies. The size of an infant’s head is decreased due to prenatal tobacco exposure.

According to Meier (2012) cannabis use in teenage years can lead to cognitive decline. Heavy cannabis use at a younger age can lower a person’s IQ and as an adult this decline is not seen. Cannabis use can be associated or connected to many things involving cognitive function. One relationship that can be correlated is the relationship among cannabis use and neuropsychological impairment for teenagers. In the present paper, I will explain the role that cannabis plays on neuropsychological test performance. It is hypothesized that persistent cannabis use at a younger age can be associated with neuropsychological impairments. I will explain my findings by examining a peer-reviewed article and news article that was closely related to this article and study to support this thesis.