Recent studies have documented that an increasing number of women of childbearing age are abusing licit and illicit substances. Although statistical data are insufficient, there are indications that approximately one in ten infants may be exposed to illicit drugs during pregnancy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse 1988 National Household Survey1 revealed that 8.8 percent of women of childbearing age admitted to having used an illicit drug in the month before questioning. A recent survey of 36 private and public hospitals2 showed that approximately 11 percent of women delivering in these hospitals had used illegal drugs at some time during their pregnancies.

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