Effects of prenatal methadone exposure on sex-dimorphic behavior in early school-age children.
Prenatal opiate exposure has been shown to alter the pattern of sex-dimorphic behavior in male and female rats. To conduct an exploratory study of opiate effects in humans, we compared the sex-dimorphic behavior of male and female offspring of women maintained on methadone during pregnancy to that of demographically matched control subjects. Standardized questionnaires completed by the primary caretakers served as assessment instruments. The six- to eight-year-old methadone-exposed boys showed more stereotypically feminine behavior than nonexposed male control subjects. There were no significant differences between methadone-exposed girls and their female control group. Based on these preliminary findings, we recommend that future follow-up studies of opiate-exposed children be broadened to include an assessment of their gender role behavior.
Sandberg
D E
DE
Department of Psychiatry, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
Meyer-Bahlburg
H F
HF
Rosen
T S
TS
Johnson
H L
HL
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
D008691:Methadone