Three-year outcome of children exposed prenatally to drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the 3-year behavioral and developmental outcome of children prenatally exposed to maternal substances of abuse.


METHODS
Ninety-three children exposed prenatally to cocaine and other drugs taken by the mother during pregnancy (Group 1), 24 polydrug/noncocaine exposed children (Group 2), and 25 nonexposed children (Group 3) were evaluated at 3 years of age as part of a longitudinal prospective study of the impact of intrauterine substance exposure on long-term outcome. The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition(SBIS) was administered by examiners blinded to the exposure background of the children, and a pediatrician performed a complete medical evaluation on all the children. The children's primary caregiver completed the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Stepwise multiple regression procedures were used to determine the factors that best predicted 3-year growth, intelligence, and behavior.


RESULTS
Groups 1 and 2 differed from Group 3 on head circumference. Group 1 scored lower than Group 3 on SBIS Verbal Reasoning. Group 2 scored Slower than Group 3 on SBIS Abstract/Visual Reasoning. Cocaine exposure predicted poor verbal reasoning. Marijuana exposure predicted poor abstract/visual reasoning. Examiner rating predicted intellectual outcome and caregiver ratings. Caregivers rated exposed children as more aggressive than nonexposed.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to information in the popular media, not all substance-exposed children suffer the same poor prognosis. In fact, generalizations about the fate of drug-exposed children must await additional research into the outcome of the broader population of drug-exposed children, examining the roles of maternal and environmental factors across a variety of geographic locations and socioeconomic levels.
Griffith
D R
DR
National Association for Perinatal Addiction Research and Education, Chicago, IL 60611.
Azuma
S D
SD
Chasnoff
I J
IJ
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D003042:Cocaine