A Question for the Actor

Yes, this is about Tom Cruise...::::sigh::::

Tom Cruise, actor, recently stated to Matt Laurer on the today show that, "There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance."

::::blinks twice:::

OK. Now I have a question for Mr. Cruise, actor; If there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance, then explain the conditions resulting in babies born addicted to drugs, specifically cocaine/crack?

I also have a suggestion for Mr. Cruise. Instead of using his time on talk shows to promote his new movie, "War of the Worlds," to instead promote Scientology over psychiatry, I suggest he donate a few hours of his time to working in a daycare for babies born addicted to crack/cocaine. Then he can go and tell Matt Laurer how Scientology helped those children who don't have, "chemical imbalances."

"Cocaine use during pregnancy can affect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby in many ways. During the early months of pregnancy, it may increase the risk of miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it can trigger preterm labor (labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or cause the baby to grow poorly. As a result, cocaine-exposed babies are more likely than unexposed babies to be born with low birthweight (less than 5½ pounds). Low-birthweight babies are 20 times more likely to die in their first month of life than normal-weight babies, and face an increased risk of lifelong disabilities such as mental retardation and cerebral palsy. Cocaine-exposed babies also tend to have smaller heads, which generally reflect smaller brains.

Some studies suggest that cocaine-exposed babies are at increased risk of birth defects, including urinary-tract defects and, possibly, heart defects. Cocaine also may cause an unborn baby to have a stroke, which can result in irreversible brain damage or a heart attack, and sometimes death.

Cocaine use also may cause the placenta to pull away from the wall of the uterus before labor begins. This condition, called placental abruption, can lead to extensive bleeding and can be fatal for both mother and baby. (Prompt cesarean delivery, however, can prevent most deaths.)

Babies who were regularly exposed to cocaine before birth may score lower than unexposed babies on tests given at birth to assess the newborn’s physical condition and overall responsiveness. They may not do as well as unexposed babies on measures of motor ability, reflexes, attention and mood control, and they appear less likely to respond to a human face or voice.

Babies who are regularly exposed to cocaine before birth sometimes have feeding difficulties and sleep disturbances. As newborns, some are jittery and irritable, and they may startle and cry at the gentlest touch or sound. Therefore, these babies may be difficult to comfort and may be described as withdrawn or unresponsive. Other cocaine-exposed babies “turn off” surrounding stimuli by going into a deep sleep for most of the day. Generally, these behavioral disturbances are temporary and resolve over the first few months of life. Some studies suggest that cocaine-exposed babies have a greater chance of dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, other studies suggest that poor health practices that often accompany maternal cocaine use (such as use of other drugs) also may play a major role in these deaths.

What is the long-term outlook for babies who were exposed to cocaine before birth?

Some studies suggest that most children who are exposed to cocaine before birth have normal intelligence. This is encouraging, in light of earlier predictions that many of these children would be severely brain damaged. A 2002 study at Harvard Medical School and Boston University found that children up to age 2 who were heavily exposed to cocaine before birth scored just as well on tests of infant development as lightly exposed or unexposed children. However, other studies suggest that cocaine may sometimes affect mental development, possibly lowering IQ levels.

A 2002 study at Case Western Reserve University found that cocaine-exposed 2-year-olds were twice as likely as unexposed children from similar low socioeconomic backgrounds to have significant delays in mental development (14 percent and 7 percent, respectively). It is not known whether these children will continue to have learning problems when they reach school age.

Studies are inconclusive regarding the risk of learning and behavioral problems. Studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggest that most adolescents who were exposed to cocaine before birth seem to function normally. However, some may have subtle impairments in the ability to control emotions and focus attention that could put them at risk of behavioral and learning problems. Other studies suggest that cocaine exposure may adversely affect language abilities. Researchers continue to follow cocaine-exposed children through their teen years to clarify their long-term outlook." Read More)