Mom's Meth Use May Affect Kids' Behavior

Women who use methamphetamine during pregnancy may be placing their unborn children at risk for behavioral problems during childhood, as researchers have found.  During the ages of 3 and 5, children who had been exposed to meth in the womb had greater emotional re-activity and higher levels of anxiety and depression than than their unexposed peers.  Also, at the age of 5, the exposure was associated with externalizing behavior problems, and not being able to pay attention. There has been an increase in concerns about the effect of prenatal exposure to meth, which also are associated with adverse effects on fetal growth, infant neurobehavior, and fine motor function.  The meth use during pregnancy was either reported by the mothers or confirmed by a meconium screen.

  

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/meth-pregnancy-affect-kids-behavior/story?id=15953718#.T2dcXsUgf-4