CONSUMO DE DROGAS ILICITAS DURANTE EL EMBARAZO Y SUS REPERCUSIONES EN LOS PRIMEROS MESES DE VIDA DEL BEBÉ: UNA REVISIÓN

Resumen

Introduction: Contemporary studies indicate that the use of illicit drugs during pregnancy is associated with significant maternal–fetal complications and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To understand the effects of illicit substance use during pregnancy on maternal health and infant development in light of current evidence. Methods: This scoping review was conducted between April and October 2025 in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PUBMED/NLM) via the Virtual Health Library (BVS), and the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) via BVS. Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) were used: illicit drugs, pregnancy, newborn. Additionally, one institutional document published by the Ministry of Citizenship was consulted. Results: A total of 481 articles and institutional documents were identified. Following strict recency criteria, a final sample of 15 high-relevance articles (2021–2025) and one institutional document was selected. Conclusion: The analyzed studies reveal that illicit drug use exerts negative effects on fetal neurological development. A paradigm shift in nursing is highlighted, with the adoption of functionality-centered care models (Eat, Sleep, Console), which contribute to harm reduction and the protection of maternal and infant health.