Direct link between drugs and fetal abnormality

A new study has confirmed a direct link between recreational drug use and fetal abnormality.

A report published by a professor at the National University of Ireland Galway, has shown an association between taking drugs at the time of conception and malformations in the baby.

Forty-seven women were included in the study and nearly a fifth of them had used recreational drugs prior to conception.

A condition known as fetal gastro-sysus has been increasingly found in young mothers. The condition occurs where the baby is born with its abdominal walls open and the intestines and internal organs are outside the body.

The research which was led by Professor John Morrison, used technology to measure drug compounds in the mother’s hair, which allowed the project team to trace drug intake back to early pregnancy and the conception period.

Twenty-two of the 47 women involved had the condition.