NCJ Number
169911
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1997) Pages: 525-539
Date Published
1997
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The impact of prenatal drug exposure on infants and young children was studied by means of a literature review and an analysis of birth outcome and development data on 80 children who were exposed to multiple drugs in utero and who were with their mothers in residential drug treatment in California.
Abstract
The literature review revealed that maternal drug use has been associated with fetal growth and development, congenital problems, neurobehavioral problems in the first few months of life, and later developmental problems. The California children had all been exposed to drugs or alcohol for at least several months in utero; the majority were exposed throughout the pregnancy. Consistent with earlier studies, the California infants varied in their birth outcomes; the majority had no significant problems. Nevertheless, some infants experienced initial respiratory, behavioral, cardiologic, and gastrointestinal difficulties. The overall motor and mental development was in the average range, but approximately 32 percent scored one or more standard deviations below the average in one or both developmental areas. Findings were limited by the inability of the structured motor and cognitive assessments to measure problems related to social behavior. Nevertheless, findings support the importance of early intervention with women who have drug abuse problems and the need for further longitudinal research on their children. Tables and 43 references