WHO Begins Developing Guidelines on Substance Use During Pregnancy

September 4, 2012

Seeking to prevent adverse health effects of consuming alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, or other psychoactive substances during pregnancy, the World Health Organization (WHO) is developing guidelines to assist in identifying and managing substance use by pregnant women. WHO reports that substance use during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, impaired fetal growth and development, and life-long problems in affected infants. WHO expects to release the guidelines in 2014. For more information about the project, contact WHO Medical Officer Nicolas Clark, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., M.D., clarkn@who.int.