What abnormalities may result in a fetus due to maternal cocaine use during pregnancy?

Maternal cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to various adverse effects on fetal development, affecting neurodevelopment and behavior after birth. One significant outcome is the potential for poor organizational responses to environmental stimuli. This means that infants exposed to cocaine in utero may struggle to appropriately respond to their surroundings. They might exhibit disorganized behavior, difficulty with attention, and challenges in processing sensory input, which are all linked to atypical neurodevelopment.

While increased interactive behavior, heightened sensory awareness, or enhanced motor skills might seem like possible outcomes, they generally do not align with the established research on cocaine exposure. Instead, the lasting impact often manifests as deficits in organization and response to stimuli, which could affect social interactions and developmental milestones throughout infancy and childhood.