Substance Exposed Infants, Part 2: Impact of Perinatal Substance Use on Infants



This module teaches family support professionals and other service providers how a pregnant mother's use of commonly abused substances can impact her fetus, and the signs, symptoms and effects of withdrawal, neonatal abstinence syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders on an infant and growing child. It prepares service providers to recognize pregnant mothers and infants at risk for SEI issues, develop a plan for referral, and support families in providing an optimal environment for their substance-exposed infants.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe how maternal substance use during pregnancy may affect infants and the possible impact of individual drugs
  2. Identify the characteristics of withdrawal, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and their present and future effects on the child
  3. Explain how the postpartum environment can improve or worsen the effects of SEI
  4. Describe strategies that families and caregivers can use to help infants with SEI, NAS and FASD
  5. Define your role in supporting the family's knowledge of how the drugs may impact the child's development and giving them strategies for promoting optimal development
  6. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with other service providers to support the child's optimal development

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Supplemental Materials
Estimated Time to Complete
45 minutes
Skills Addressed
Infant and Early Childhood Development Prenatal development Teratogens Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition Infant care Crying Child nutrition Breastfeeding

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