What Can Prenatal Drugs Do To My Baby?

Prescription and non-Prescription drugs can influence how your baby thinks, behaves, and looks.  The following are just a few examples.

Nicotene
Prenatally nicotine-exposed infants are at increased risk for preterm birth and sudden infant death syndrome  as well as fetal growth restriction.  There is a higher incidences of orofacial clefts, neural tube defects, and cryptorchidism.

Alcohol

can produce preterm birth, Low Birth Weight, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder which affects brain and facial features.

A smooth philtrum — The divot between the nose and upper lip flattens
Thin vermilion — The upper lip thins
Small palpebral fissures —  Eye width decreases

Opioids

The most notable opioid effects may include tonal problems, tachypnea, feeding and sleeping problems, fever, and seizures.

Benzodiazepines
"Withdrawal phenomena have been reported in exposed infants. Signs include hypoventilation, irritability, hypertonicity, and "floppy infant syndrome," particularly after use in late gestation. These symptoms can appear within a few days to 3 weeks after birth and can last for several months."

Lauren M. Jansson and Martha L. Velez
Infants of Drug-dependent Mothers
Pediatr. Rev. 2011 32: 5-13.