infant of substance-abusing mother


infant of substance-abusing mother

Abbreviation: ISAM
An all-inclusive term for a newborn whose birth mother used alcohol, cocaine, opiates, or other potentially hazardous chemicals during pregnancy. These babies are considered to be at high risk for complications during the neonatal period; many also exhibit related long-term disabilities that influence their potential for normal growth and development. Perinatal complications include intrauterine growth retardation, infection, asphyxia, congenital abnormalities, low birth weight, low Apgar score, withdrawal-related symptoms, jaundice, and behavioral problems. Long-term complications include behavioral problems such as short attention span, delayed development of language-related skills, and sudden infant death syndrome. See: cocaine baby; fetal alcohol syndrome; heroinSee also: infant