cocaine small enough molecule pass across placental barrier bloodstream of fetus.
cocaine, small molecule, able cross placenta bloodstream of fetus. in fact may present in higher concentration in amniotic fluid in mother s bloodstream. skin of fetus able absorb chemical directly amniotic fluid until 24th week of pregnancy. cocaine can show in breast milk , affect nursing baby. severity of effects depends on how of drug used, how often, , stage in development of fetus.
cocaine prevents reuptake of neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, , norepinephrine. stay in synapse longer, causing excitement of sympathetic nervous system , evoking stress response. euphoria experienced cocaine users thought largely due way prevents neurotransmitter serotonin being reabsorbed presynaptic neuron released it.
use of cocaine during pregnancy can negatively affect both mother , fetus, ways in affects fetus poorly understood. there 3 main mechanisms cocaine exposure harms fetus: altering brain chemistry, altering expression of genes, , constriction of blood vessels. neurotransmitters affected cocaine involved in development of fetus s brain, drug may affect fetal development directly altering development of brain s monoaminergic system. important way cocaine affects fetal development binding dopamine receptors.
another possible mechanism cocaine harms fetus may in part interfering blood supply uterus. cocaine causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) in both mother , fetus, can cause hypoxia in fetus. constricting blood vessels causes tissues receive insufficient blood flow, killing cells, effect less pronounced cocaine nicotine. reduction in blood flow uterus limits delivery of oxygen , nutrients fetus. cocaine constricts blood vessels in fetus, potentially linked slowed fetal growth , abnormal development of genitourinary, cardiovascular, digestive, , musculoskeletal systems. cocaine causes changes in mother s blood pressure thought cause of strokes in fetus; 1 study found 6% of cocaine-exposed infants had had 1 or more strokes. such prenatal strokes may cause of neurological problems found in cocaine-exposed infants after birth.
blood vessel contraction can cause premature labor , premature birth. cocaine has been found enhance contractility of tissue in uterus, factor has been suggested possible mechanism contribution increased prematurity rates. increased contractility of uterus may behind increased likelihood of placental abruption (the placenta tearing away uterine wall) findings have linked pce.
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