Parental drug usage: effect upon chromosomes of progeny.

Illicit drug usage is a serious medical problem. Parental use of LSD and the effect upon the unborn infant is in question. However, parental use of LSD has often prevented acceptance of those children subsequently relinquished for adoption. In this study we reviewed the records and clinical state of over 1,000 consecutive infants who were relinquished for adoption. Clinical and developmental examination was conducted upon 47 and chromosomal karyotyping upon 41/47 infants whose parents were illicit drug users. In comparison with comparable controls we found no statistically significant difference in the incidence of chromosomal breakage or rearrangement. Parental use of illicit drugs does not in itself constitute a valid reason for the refusal to accept or place an infant relinquished for adoption.