What is the Impact of Maternal Substance Abuse on Neonatal Health?
Maternal substance abuse, including smoking, alcohol, and drug use, has detrimental effects on the fetus. Smoking is linked to low birth weight and preterm birth, while alcohol consumption can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), leading to lifelong cognitive and physical impairments. Illicit drug use can result in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), where the newborn experiences withdrawal symptoms.
