edgarshade
Bluelighter
US News, Health
February 28, 2012
With reader comments
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http://health.usnews.com/health-new...asy-use-during-pregnancy-may-harm-fetus-study
February 28, 2012
With reader comments
TUESDAY, Feb. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Taking the hallucinogen ecstasy during pregnancy may harm the health of the fetus and lead to poorer motor control in infants, a new study suggests.
Researchers asked 96 British women about their substance-abuse history before and during pregnancy. The women were taking part in the University of East London Drugs and Infancy Study, which looks at recreational drug use among pregnant women. Most of the women reported taking a range of illegal drugs both before and during pregnancy.
Infant growth, motor control and brain development were assessed at birth and when babies were 4 months old.
Infants born to mothers who used ecstasy during pregnancy had worse motor control and poorer hand-eye coordination at 4 months than babies whose mothers didn't use the drug. Other problems among the ecstasy-exposed group included an impaired ability to balance their heads, sit up without support or roll from their back on to their side.
"The study also found that ecstasy was associated with more male births, suggesting that the drug may impact "chemical signaling that determines a baby's gender."
More...
http://health.usnews.com/health-new...asy-use-during-pregnancy-may-harm-fetus-study