A recent study in the U.S. examined the link between pregnant women’s use of methamphetamines and behavior problems in their children. The first of its kind, the study found children of methamphetamine users have a higher risk of developing behavioral problems. Linda LaGasse the lead researcher said the behavioral differences included depression, moodiness and anxiety and were not huge, but very troublesome.
Methamphetamine, like crack cocaine, is a stimulant and prior research has suggested that babies of meth users have similarities to babies of crack users. They are smaller at birth and prone to stress and drowsiness.
Results about long-term problems with children’s behavior from cocaine using mothers have varied. It is still unknown whether problems in young children of mothers who used methamphetamines are long term. However, researchers said that the affects of methamphetamine use on the brain is much stronger and it might mean the effects on children could be long lasting.
Data released by the government suggests that over 10 million people in the U.S. have at some time used methamphetamines. Less than 1% of pregnant women use the drug.
Because this study is the first of its kind, the results need to be examined cautiously and the study needs to be repeated, said Joseph Frascella who is the head of a division of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
