Prenatal methamphetamine—impact on the mother and child—a review

Abstract

Methamphetamine (MA) is the second most commonly used illicit drug in the world, after cannabis. There are limited data on the outcomes of pregnant MA users but there is rapidly emerging evidence to suggest that they are more vulnerable, marginalized and impoverished compared with other drug‐using mothers. MA use during pregnancy is associated with worse pregnancy outcomes and significantly higher rates of co‐existing health and psychosocial problems. Newborn infants exposed to MA are at increased risk of perinatal complications, present differently at birth to infants exposed to other drugs of dependency such as opioids and have poorer neurological adaptation and feeding difficulties. Sparse literature from neuroimaging and cohort studies suggests that the neurocognitive deficits in MA exposed children persist, even into adulthood. Current clinical practice guidelines for the care of substance exposed pregnant women are opioid‐centric with little attention paid to the consequences of prenatal MA exposure.

Integrated Care for Pregnant Women and Parents With Methamphetamine-Related Mental Disorders

“…Methamphetamine use continues to rise on a global scale (1), and methamphetamine-involved overdoses claim lives in staggering numbers (2). This humanitarian crisis is further fueled by maternal, fetal, and child deaths related to methamphetamine exposure (3)(4)(5)(6). Moreover, ample evidence implicates methamphetamine in lasting health and psychosocial problems that severely affect parents and their children (3)(4)(5).…”

“…This humanitarian crisis is further fueled by maternal, fetal, and child deaths related to methamphetamine exposure (3)(4)(5)(6). Moreover, ample evidence implicates methamphetamine in lasting health and psychosocial problems that severely affect parents and their children (3)(4)(5). Women who use methamphetamine are burdened by mental disorders in the perinatal period (5), and parents who use methamphetamine are overstrained by their caregiving roles in often adverse living conditions (7).…”

“…Moreover, ample evidence implicates methamphetamine in lasting health and psychosocial problems that severely affect parents and their children (3)(4)(5). Women who use methamphetamine are burdened by mental disorders in the perinatal period (5), and parents who use methamphetamine are overstrained by their caregiving roles in often adverse living conditions (7). Infants can experience serious damage, such as microcephaly, due to intrauterine methamphetamine exposure (5,8).…”

“…Women who use methamphetamine are burdened by mental disorders in the perinatal period ( 5 ), and parents who use methamphetamine are overstrained by their caregiving roles in often adverse living conditions ( 7 ). Infants can experience serious damage, such as microcephaly, due to intrauterine methamphetamine exposure ( 5 , 8 ). Child development is compromised as a result of these factors, as evidenced by lower IQ scores as well as internalizing (e.g., depression) and externalizing symptoms (e.g., aggression) ( 5 , 7 , 8 ).…”

“…Infants can experience serious damage, such as microcephaly, due to intrauterine methamphetamine exposure ( 5 , 8 ). Child development is compromised as a result of these factors, as evidenced by lower IQ scores as well as internalizing (e.g., depression) and externalizing symptoms (e.g., aggression) ( 5 , 7 , 8 ). Despite the urgency for prevention and intervention, the uptake of antenatal, pediatric, and mental health services is low and too late in this population ( 5 , 9 , 10 ).…”