This condition, placental abruption, can lead to extensive bleeding and can be fatal for both the mother and her baby. The drug also may increase other complications of labor and delivery. Babies exposed to cocaine before they are born may start life with serious health problems. Low birthweight can result from poor growth before birth, premature birth, or a combination of both. Those who survive are at increased risk of lifelong disabilities including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, visual and hearing impairment.
Some studies suggest that cocaine-exposed babies are at increased risk of birth defects.
A number of studies have found that cocaine-exposed babies tend to score poorly on tests given at birth to assess the newborn's physical condition and overall responsiveness. They do not do as well as unexposed babies on measures of motor ability and reflexes, attention and mood control, and they appear less likely to respond to a human face or voice. Babies exposed to cocaine before birth sometimes have feeding difficulties and sleep disturbances. Many are very jittery and irritable, and startle and cry at the gentlest touch or sound. Consequently, these babies are very difficult to comfort and often are described as withdrawn or unresponsive.