Pathophysiology of prenatal drug-exposure: in utero, in the newborn, in childhood, and in agencies.

Medical communities are documenting an increase in the numbers of infants being born with prenatal drug exposure. Medical, educational, and social agencies are serving large numbers of these infants, toddlers, and their families. These infants and toddlers constitute a population whose short-term and long-term needs have not been adequately identified or addressed in the health, social, emotional, or developmental domains. This article discusses the pathophysiology in prenatal drug exposure and the role of the nurse when providing services to these infants, toddlers, and their families.