Pregnancy: risks of smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs

Answer 1

Smoking
Increased risk of miscarriage (increased risk of around 47%)
Increased risk of pre-term labour
Increased risk of stillbirth
IUGR
Increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy

Alcohol
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
learning difficulties
characteristic facies: smooth philtrum, thin vermilion, small palpebral fissures, epicanthic folds, microcephaly
IUGR & postnatal restricted growth

Binge drinking is a major risk factor for FAS

Cannabis
Similar to smoking risks due to tobacco content

Cocaine
Maternal risks
hypertension in pregnancy including pre-eclampsia
placental abruption

Fetal risk
prematurity
neonatal abstinence syndrome

Heroin
Risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome

Question 2

A history of sudden collapse occurring soon after a rupture of membranes is suggestive of

Answer 2

amniotic fluid embolism.