A prospective evaluation of early language development in children with in utero cocaine exposure and in control subjects.
A cohort of children of low socioeconomic status, 76 with in utero cocaine exposure and 81 control subjects, was assessed for early language development at 2 1/2 years of age by a masked examiner using the Preschool Language Scale. There were no differences between groups in expressive, receptive, or total language score (all p > or = 0.57). Physicians caring for cocaine-exposed children with early language delay should not automatically ascribe the delay to cocaine exposure but should initiate a standard evaluation for language delay.
Hurt
H
H
Division of Neonatology, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA.
Malmud
E
E
Betancourt
L
L
Brodsky
N L
NL
Giannetta
J
J
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies
D003042:Cocaine