A 29-year-old member asked:
Can past hard drug abuse damage the ova in a woman and cause mental retardation or birth defects?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Cristina Carballoanswered
Neonatology 41 years experience
No: The ova is already formed before any environmental influences. However, after conception, current drug use can affect the baby, but not previous activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Hard to be sure: Most feel that these are stable and not changed by drug use in the teen years or later.However, that idea is one that we have no easy way to study.We accept that radiation throughout life and age impact the quality of eggs, it is likely drug use may also.I followed one kid whose mom was clean for pregnancy and had been clean for years but ended up with an odd chromosome deletion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 34-year-old 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?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
42 years experience
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.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Apr 21, 2019
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