Question 1

can past hard drug abuse damage the ova in a woman and cause mental retardation or birth defects?

Accepted Answer

No: The ova is already formed before any environmental influences. However, after conception, current drug use can affect the baby, but not previous activity.

Question 2

is it possible that past hard drug abuse damage the ova (egg cells) in a woman and cause mental retardation or birth defects?

Accepted Answer

I have been trying: To find information on this, but the information seems to be focusing on maternal use during pregnancy and not before.It is also heavily focused on alcohol and cigarettes, with results showing that the children of women who smoke or drink have decreased attention spans. I believe, however, that your hypothesis is indeed possible. Perhaps one of my colleagues has found some research on this.

Question 3

which psychiatric drugs have been shown to cause the most birth defects?

Accepted Answer

Birth defects: Some are Lithium, Depakote, Paxil, (paroxetine) Psychostimulants.

Question 4

can doing drugs cause a mutation in sperm, which leads to birth defects?

Accepted Answer

See responce: Vague question,which particular drug ? lenght of use ?
An occasional use may not be detrimental (this is no approval of use) ,

Question 5

how some drugs cause birth defect in pregnant womans?.can it alter a baby's normal growth by producing some chemicals or change dna & cause mutation?

Accepted Answer

Varies: A variety of chemicals or teratogens can alter the growth during pregnancy.  Here is a website from the cdc with more clarification

http://www.Cdc.Gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/facts.Html.

Question 6

what is the drug they used to give to pregnant women to treat acne that caused birth defects?

Accepted Answer

Isotretinoin: Accutane, amnesteem, claravil, & sotret are all category "x" drugs and cause fetal birth defects and/or loss.  It needs to be stopped immediately and see your OB or physician asap for evaluation.  Prescribers of these meds have to ensure effective birth control and get written acknowledgement from their patients of the known teratogenicity.

Question 7

how does accutane not affect your fertility after? it's  so serious in causing birth defects while on the drug and messes up hormones, how is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Who says it's safe?: It is one of the more toxic drugs, and the only reason we use it is because for some people, the pain of living with severe acne makes its risks worthwhile. Accutane acts on rapidly growing tissues, which is why it is contraindicated in pregnancy; but it does not appear to be as toxic to ovaries and eggs as it is to an embryo or a fetus.

Question 8

fertility doctor prescribed dexamethadone to prevent miscarriage. my wife has been on the drug for a week. we found research that concerned us concerning birth defects with the drug. any thoughts?

Accepted Answer

Generally disagree: Dexamethazone does not prevent miscarriage, with very few exceptions. The question is was a specific cause for miscarriage identified, if so what is it? In the absence of a specific diagnosis, dexamethazone is definitely not indicated as an empiric medicine to prevent miscarriage. Dexamethazone is not proven to cause any birth defects.

Question 9

can a father's drug use during conception cause birth defects - for example cocaine, opioids, depressants, stimulants, lsd/ecstacy?

Accepted Answer

Of course!: He does contribute 50% of the pregnancy product and genes are known to be altered by excess substance abuse. The classic case is the use of marijuana on congenital malformations.

Question 10

please help we don't understand why our baby has a birth defect?

Accepted Answer

3% of live births: About 3% of live births have birth defects and the cause is not known in most cases.  Quite likely it is not your fault, nor any thing you did that caused the birth defect.  It is natural to have questions.  Please focus on helping your baby make the best of assets s/he has.  Consult the site below:
http://www.Cdc.Gov/ncbddd/features/birthdefects-keyfindings.Html.

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Doctor answers about:

Birth defects from drug abuse

A member asked:

Can past hard drug abuse damage the ova in a woman and cause mental retardation or birth defects?

A member asked:

Is it possible that past hard drug abuse damage the ova (egg cells) in a woman and cause mental retardation or birth defects?

A member asked:

Which psychiatric drugs have been shown to cause the most birth defects?

A member asked:

Can doing drugs cause a mutation in sperm, which leads to birth defects?

A member asked:

How some drugs cause birth defect in pregnant womans?.can it alter a baby's normal growth by producing some chemicals or change dna & cause mutation?

A member asked:

What is the drug they used to give to pregnant women to treat acne that caused birth defects?

A member asked:

How does accutane not affect your fertility after? it's so serious in causing birth defects while on the drug and messes up hormones, how is it safe?

A member asked:

Fertility doctor prescribed dexamethadone to prevent miscarriage. my wife has been on the drug for a week. we found research that concerned us concerning birth defects with the drug. any thoughts?

A member asked:

Can a father's drug use during conception cause birth defects - for example cocaine, opioids, depressants, stimulants, lsd/ecstacy?

A member asked:

Please help we don't understand why our baby has a birth defect?

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