Fetal drug exposure and its possible implications for learning in the preschool and school-age population.
For the past 5 years there has been an exponential increase in the use of cocaine, phenylcyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), and other central nervous system (CNS) active drugs. A significant amount of this accelerated usage is in sexually active females, resulting in some urban hospitals reporting positive drug screens in over 16% of the infants born on their busy obstetrical service. There is a growing body of data showing that fetal exposure to cocaine, phenylcyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), and other CNS-active drugs results in infants and children with abnormal brain wave patterns, short-term neurologic signs, depression of interactive behavior, and poor organizational responses to environmental stimuli. Whether such neurologic findings will translate into a significant number of children with learning and behavioral problems needs to be the focus of long-term longitudinal studies of children with fetal drug exposure to cocaine, PCP, and other CNS-active drugs.
Van Dyke
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M.S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University.
Fox
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D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003042:Cocaine; D010622:Phencyclidine