The use and abuse of drugs of dependency by the pregnant woman is an increasing global problem. Unwanted effects are not limited to illicit drugs and the impact of drug use but the lifestyles surrounding drug using behavior have profound and often undesirable effects on the woman, her family, and her community. The types of drugs used around the world vary with supply and demand, and understanding trends in drug use, possible genetic links governing drug effects and drug seeking behavior, as well as the impact of specific drugs on the perinatal patient will improve global care of this high-need mother/infant dyad. We invite authors to present original research as well as review articles that will improve our understanding of the effects of drugs of dependency in the pregnant woman and her infant. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Global trends and prevalence in the use of drugs of dependency in the pregnant woman
• Genetic influences on drug seeking behavior and response to treatment in pregnant women and the newborn infant
• The effects of stimulant drugs, for example, cocaine, amphetamines
• The effects of legal drugs on pregnancy and childhood outcomes including methadone, buprenorphine, alcohol, nicotine, and sedatives
• Long-term outcomes of children affected by in-utero drug exposure, particularly in relation to opiates, stimulants, and recreational drugs
• Novel tools to assess and treat drug effects in the newborn infant
• Neuroimaging of children affected by in-utero drugs of dependency

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