Study: Ecstasy harms the unborn

Taking the dance drug ecstasy while pregnant may cause serious long-term harm to a woman’s unborn baby, say scientists.

Research conducted in Britain shows that babies can be damaged by exposure to ecstasy in the womb.

At four months old, affected infants showed poor movement co-ordination and lower attainment of milestones marking out baby development.

Some balanced their heads at a later age than babies not exposed to the drug.

The researchers fear other effects could emerge later, including impaired memory, learning capacity and emotional development.

Professor Andy Parrott of the University of Swansea, who co-led the study, said: “Ecstasy can deplete the level of serotonin which is an important neurotransmitter for many brain functions, including gross motor control.”

Serotonin is a brain chemical that carries signals between nerve cells with several functions, including regulating mood and sleep.

Ecstasy floods the brain with serotonin, producing a euphoric “high”, but it also means available supplies of neurotransmitter are used up too quickly.

The findings are published in the Neurotoxicology and Teratology journal.