The Effects of Toddlers Born Addicted

A child is born addicted when its mother abuses certain drugs, such as heroin or methamphetamine, while pregnant. This can cause extreme, irreversible damage to the child. If the child survives infancy, it may still display signs as a toddler of being born addicted. These effects range from birth defects to behavioral problems.

  1. Birth Defects and Diseases

    • Children who are born addicted may be born with birth defects that they carry throughout their lives. These birth defects include clubfoot, cleft palate, cerebral palsy and congenital heart defects. Toddlers who were born with these defects may need ongoing medical treatment, have social difficulties, have learning difficulties or problems with mobility.

      When pregnant women use intravenous drugs, they increase the risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. The mothers can pass both of these diseases to fetuses, with the effect on the infant being poor health or death.

    Learning Disabilities

    • Two factors can create learning disabilities in toddlers who are born addicted to drugs. The initial addiction itself may cause mental retardation and learning disabilities. Another factor is the environment in which these children are kept. If they are still living with drug-addicted parents, environmental factors, such as lack of attention, poor nutrition and instability, contribute to learning disabilities.

    Behavioral Problems

    • Toddlers who were born addicted are more likely to display behavioral problems than children who are not born addicted. These behavioral problems include abrupt changes in mood, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. These problems may develop from being raised by a drug user as much as from being born addicted. Toddlers typically have a better long-term outlook if their parents stop using or circumstances remove them from neglectful situations.

    Emotional Problems

    • A study done at UCLA's Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Perinatal Addiction indicates that toddlers who were born addicted to drugs are less likely to form close bonds with adults caring for them. Chicago's Center for Perinatal Addiction did a study that indicates that toddlers who were born addicted frustrate easily. The children are more likely to have stunted emotional development than children who are not born addicted. It is unknown whether these problems come from neurological damage or impairments, psychological problems or both.

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