DESIGNER DRUG THREAT TO UNBORN

NEW designer drugs could have serious effects on unborn babies with
the possibility of stillbirth, premature birth, malformations and
sudden infant death, doctors have warned.

Marijuana use by young mothers also has been raised as a possible
cause of major birth defects.

Although research is inconclusive, the use of marijuana could be a
possible reason for the increase in young mothers giving birth to
babies with gastroschesis, a major abdominal malformation.

Royal Women's Hospital neo-natal paediatrician Tim Donovan said that
like many new drugs, the result of marijuana use on unborn babies was
unknown and mothers should seek expert help before, after and during
their pregnancies.

"There has been an increased incidence of gastroschesis or anterior
wall defect in young first pregnancy mums where the baby is born with
internal organs exposed," Dr Donovan said.

"We don't know why it's more common but one of the possible
explanations ... could be their exposure to drugs like marijuana, but
it is by no means medical fact.

"Whether drug dependant babies are at a higher risk of sudden infant
death is also a current subject of research."

He said it would be a long time before the true impact of the new
synthetic drugs on developing babies was known.

"We've already got a lot of trouble from alcohol and there is no
evidence to say that we wouldn't have twice as much trouble from
illicit drugs," he said.

Mater Mother's Hospital director of neonatology David Tudehope said
the biggest problem was with "poly" drug use, where mothers were using
more than one drug.

"The withdrawal and convulsions are much greater with poly drug use.
It's easier to manage the baby with mothers on single drugs and we do
recommend compliance with a methadone maintenance programme," Dr
Tudehope said.

He said cocaine was the most dangerous drug during pregnancy with
haemorrhage, high blood pressure and malformations the result.

Royal Brisbane Hospital Alcohol and Drug Unit consultation liaison
nurse Joan Wallace said most mothers withdrew from marijuana use.

She said the hospital planned to undertake research on the effects of
drugs and marijuana next year.

The Mater Mother's and the Royal Women's hospitals have set up
specialist programmes this year in response to a growing number of
drug dependant newborns.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry