Research Reports: Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction
- Letter from the Director
- What is methamphetamine?
- What is the scope of methamphetamine abuse in the United States?
- How is methamphetamine abused?
- How is methamphetamine different from other stimulants, such as cocaine?
- What are the immediate (short-term) effects of methamphetamine abuse?
- What are the long-term effects of methamphetamine abuse?
- What are the risks of methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy?
- Are methamphetamine abusers at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C?
- What treatments are effective for methamphetamine abusers?
- Where can I get further scientific information about methamphetamine abuse?
- Glossary
- References
What are the risks of methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy?
Prenatal exposure to methamphetamine may also be a problem in the United States. Although according to the NSDUH, less than 1 percent of pregnant women aged 15-44 had used methamphetamine in the past year, any use among this population is of concern. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the effects of methamphetamine during pregnancy is limited. The few human studies that exist have shown increased rates of premature delivery, placental abruption, fetal growth retardation, and heart and brain abnormalities. However, these studies are difficult to interpret due to methodological issues, such as small sample size and maternal use of other drugs. Ongoing research is continuing to study developmental outcomes such as cognition, social relationships, motor skills, and medical status of children exposed to methamphetamine before birth.
This page was last updated September 2006.
Research Reports
This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.
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