Addict Mother and Child's Brain

CHILDREN born to mothers who consume cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol have a smaller head circumference compared with other children whose mothers no drank such substances.

The study led by Dr. Michael J Rivkin of Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, indicate if the mother is eating four types of these substances at the same time, children born will have a small head and brain size.

The study examined 35 children aged 10 to 14 years. To measure brain tissue volumes and head circumference, the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

Although strong conclusions can not be obtained because of small sample size, says Rivkin, the resulting data are consistent with the notion that states the effect of the use of one or a combination of these four substances in the prenatal period can affect children's brain structure.