A new 2026 study examined the relationship between prenatal substance exposure and congenital genitourinary (GU) abnormalities—conditions affecting the urinary and reproductive systems. Looking at more than 203,000 births over 11 years, the researchers found associations between prenatal exposure to several substances and increased likelihood of GU abnormalities.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Prenatal substance exposure was associated with more GU abnormalities.
GU abnormalities were found in 11.03% of infants with documented prenatal substance exposure compared with 8.98% of infants without documented exposure. Conditions included hypospadias, undescended testes, kidney abnormalities, and abnormalities of the renal pelvis and ureter.
2. Alcohol was among the substances associated with increased likelihood.
Infants with documented prenatal alcohol exposure were 53% more likely to have a GU congenital abnormality. Increased likelihood was also associated with prenatal opioid exposure (64%) and cocaine exposure (59%).
3. The findings add to our understanding of the potential whole-body impacts of prenatal substance exposure.
Many infants with GU abnormalities also had congenital abnormalities affecting other body systems, including cardiac, circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. The researchers emphasize that the study identifies associations, not causation, and that more research is needed to better understand the effects of specific substances, timing and levels of exposure.