Reduced blood supply to the developing abdominal wall is thought to cause gastroschisis, a life-threatening condition where the intestines protrude from a hole near the umbilical cord.

	Using recreational drugs before or early in pregnancy increased the risk for gastroschisis. A higher risk was seen if the mother uses more than one type of drug, and if both parents are drug users.
	Cocaine-using mothers were more than 4 times as likely to have a baby with gastroschisis.
	Using marijuana, amphetamines, or alcohol (either daily or binge drinking) raised risk by 2 to 4 times.

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DRUGS DID NOT RAISE NEURAL TUBE DEFECT RISK

	Using cocaine, amphetamines/speed or marijuana before conception or in early pregnancy was associated with reduced risk for neural tube defects.
	This may be due to reporting differences (mothers of affected infants may be reluctant to admit to drug use), higher miscarriage rate among drug-exposed pregnancies or some other bias.
	Father's drug use didn't increase risk.

Study findings on alcohol