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I have been offered the opportunity to adopt a baby from Taiwan. I am informed that the mother was a heroin addict, but she claims to have stopped taking the drug before she became pregnant. Is there any way for me to find out if this is true? Are there tests of any sort that could detect any serious damage to the baby if it is not true?
I'd consult a pediatrician. I'm sure there are things to at least look for, but it's best to go to the experts.
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The mecconium (baby's first few poops) can be tested for drug traces. It will not tell you if drugs were ever used but it will tell you if they were used in the last 1-2 months of the pregnancy. If she steadily used throughout the pregnancy signs of withdrawl will begin at 48-72 hours and with her hx it is unlikely that they would discharge the baby prior to this period as they would want him/her in a controlled enviroment if it were to occur.
While babies with drug exposure do have some issues, they tend to be less severe in the long run than those who were alcohol exposed.